Assam flood situation remains grim; disaster management authority issues fresh warning
Guwahati, Aug 7
Assam's flood situation remained a cause for concern on Friday as the Assam State Disaster Management Authority issued a fresh public advisory asking people to stay away from the Dhansiri River in Golaghat district following a continuous rise in its water level.
In an advisory, the ASDMA urged citizens residing along riverbanks and nearby areas to remain alert and avoid venturing close to the river until the situation improves. "Due to the continuous increase in the water level of River Dhansiri (South) at Golaghat in Golaghat district of Assam, citizens are advised to stay away from the river," the authority said in its advisory.
The warning comes even as the state continues to battle floods which have affected more than 1.68 lakh people across 15 districts.
According to the latest ASDMA flood bulletin, 1,68,701 people across 481 villages in 39 revenue circles remain affected by the deluge. More than 14,382 hectares of agricultural land are still submerged, severely impacting farming activities in several districts.
Golaghat remains the worst-affected district with 54,085 people hit by the floods, followed by Sivasagar (49,515), Jorhat (27,842) and Charaideo (21,486).
Significant crop losses have also been reported from Sivasagar, Jorhat, Lakhimpur and Charaideo.
The ASDMA said the Dhansiri (South) at Numaligarh continued to flow above the danger level, although no river in the state was reported above the highest flood level.
The state government has kept 133 relief camps and relief distribution centres operational across the affected districts.
A total of 10,111 displaced people are taking shelter in relief camps, while another 35,596 people are receiving assistance through relief distribution centres. Relief agencies have distributed rice, pulses, edible oil, cattle feed and other essential commodities among affected families.
The floods have so far claimed two lives -- one each in Golaghat and Udalguri districts -- while no person is currently reported missing. The disaster has also affected 41,475 animals and damaged 365 houses, including 40 that were completely destroyed.
Rescue teams remain deployed in vulnerable areas with boats and personnel on standby as authorities continue relief, rescue and restoration operations.
— IANS
Reader Comments
So sad to see this. My heart goes out to the people of Golaghat and Sivasagar districts. 14,382 hectares of farmland submerged means so many farmers will lose their entire year's income. Hope the relief camps are well stocked and people get proper medical care too, especially with monsoon diseases like dengue and malaria on the rise.
🙏 Praying for everyone in Assam. The Brahmaputra basin floods are a yearly curse, but what irritates me is the lack of preparedness. Why does it always take a disaster for authorities to act? We need permanent flood control infrastructure, not just temporary measures every monsoon.
The ASDMA is doing what it can but the scale of the problem is huge. 481 villages affected and 41,475 animals hit too shows how widespread this is. People need to heed the warning about the Dhansiri river, it's better to be safe than sorry. The relief camps have 10,000+ people, hope they have proper sanitation facilities for women and children.
I'm from Sivasagar and my relatives are affected. Shameful that after so many floods we still don't have proper flood-proofing. The crop damage is especially concerning, rice prices will likely spike if this continues. The administration should focus on quicker compensation disbursement to farmers. 😕
Two lives lost already, that's two families destroyed. 😢 The fact that the Dhansiri is still above danger level at Numaligarh is worrying. At least the government has kept 133 relief camps open, that gives some comfort. But why are
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