Assam flood fury: Over 37,000 people affected in six districts
Guwahati, July 15
Assam floods have affected 37,032 people across six districts, with one flood-related death reported in Sonitpur district, according to the Assam Disaster Reporting and Information Management System.
According to the DRIMS released on Tuesday, the affected districts are Sonitpur, Dibrugarh, Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Jorhat and Sivasagar. A total of 12 revenue circles and 99 villages have been impacted by the floods. While no river is currently flowing above the danger or highest flood level, floodwaters have submerged 1,103.943 hectares of crop area.
Lakhimpur is the worst-hit district, accounting for 35,696 of the affected population, followed by Sonitpur with 1,178 affected people and Dhemaji with 158.
The report claimed that 20 relief distribution centres have been opened across the affected districts, while no relief camps are currently operational. Around 6,984 people are receiving assistance through relief distribution centres.
According to the report, one flood-related death has been reported from Sonitpur district, while no person has been reported missing.
Floods have also affected 16,139 animals, while two animals were washed away. Damage to residential infrastructure includes one fully damaged house and 72 partially damaged houses.
Rescue operations were carried out in Sonitpur with the assistance of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), during which 16 people were evacuated by boats. Authorities also reported damage to four roads and one embankment breach in Sonitpur's Chariduar revenue circle caused by the Jiabharali river.
According to the report, temporary measures have been initiated in waterlogged areas of Sivasagar district, including excavation of kutcha drains and installation of Hume pipes to facilitate the drainage of accumulated water and provide relief to affected residents.
Meanwhile, water levels in the Subansiri River rose after the gates of the NHPC dam were opened, inundating more than 20 villages along the Majuli-Lakhimpur border. Floodwaters also washed away portions of the under-construction Chelek-Dhunaguri road at three locations, disrupting connectivity in the area.
In Chirang district, residents of Nangalbhanga village and nearby areas are facing a severe crisis as rising water levels in the Nangal Bhanga River, following heavy rainfall, have triggered extensive soil erosion. The erosion has displaced several families and rendered many residents homeless.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Heartbreaking to see this. The Subansiri River situation is alarming—opening NHPC dam gates inundated 20 villages. We need better coordination between dam operators and local authorities. Praying for the affected families. 🙏
It's sad that 16,000+ animals are also affected. Floods don't discriminate—people, crops, livestock all suffer. Relief distribution centres are helping 7,000 people, but what about the rest? Hope the government steps up with more resources.
As someone from Lakhimpur, I can tell you this is just the beginning. Monsoon has just started, and we have months of rain ahead. The 35,696 affected in my district is a huge number. We need permanent embankments and better drainage systems, not just kutcha drains.
One death is too many. But I appreciate the SDRF rescuing 16 people by boat in Sonitpur. Every life matters. Also, the road damage in Chelek-Dhunaguri is a big issue—connectivity is crucial for supplies and medical help. Hope repairs are quick. 👍
Climate change is real, and India's northeast is paying the price. 1,103 hectares of crops destroyed—that's people's livelihoods gone. The government's 20 relief centres are a good start, but we need a national flood management plan for vulnerable regions.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.