Assam flood situation remains grim; over 57,000 people affected, one dies
Guwahati, July 19
Assam's flood situation remained grim on Sunday with more than 57,000 people affected across eight districts, while one person died in Sivasagar, taking the cumulative flood-related death toll in the state this year to five, officials said.
According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), floods have affected Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Charaideo, Tinsukia, Lakhimpur, Sivasagar, Udalguri and Jorhat districts. A total of 22 revenue circles and 298 villages remain inundated, with 57,199 people reeling under the impact of the deluge. Nearly 3,874.84 hectares of crop area have also been submerged. Officials said the latest flood-related casualty was reported from Amguri revenue circle in Sivasagar district. The total number of flood deaths recorded so far this season has risen to five.
The Burhidihing river at Chenimari (Khowang) continued to flow above the danger level, while no river was reported to be flowing above the highest flood level.
The ASDMA said 14 relief camps and relief distribution centres are operational across the affected districts. Around 440 people are currently taking shelter in relief camps, while another 3,648 people are receiving assistance through relief distribution centres. Floodwaters have also affected livestock, with 37,558 animals impacted, mostly in Dhemaji district.
Authorities said rescue and relief operations are continuing in vulnerable areas.
Meanwhile, urban flooding continued to affect parts of Jorhat district.
Officials said two revenue circles and several localities, including Bohotia, Naosolia, Bor Ahom, Sonari, Chirotia Gaon, Pachim Bongal Pukhuri, Tarajan Sonari Gaon, Rajamaidam, TRP Road, Parijat Nagar, Atilagaon and Kushar Nagar, remained waterlogged. Around 1,831 people have been affected by the urban flooding.
Officials said that the district administrations, along with disaster response agencies, are closely monitoring the situation and extending relief to affected residents.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone from Assam, this hits close to home. The situation in Dhemaji and Jorhat is particularly bad. I hope the NDRF and local authorities are doing their best. But we really need proper drainage systems in urban areas too - waterlogging in Jorhat town every monsoon is unacceptable. Stay safe everyone! 🙏
It's sad but not surprising. We keep hearing about floods in Assam every monsoon season, yet little has changed in terms of mitigation. The real issue is climate change and deforestation in the Brahmaputra basin. Until we address that, these disasters will keep recurring. My heart goes out to the families affected.
Reading this from the US makes me feel so helpless. I have family in Dibrugarh and I'm worried about them. The numbers are staggering - nearly 4,000 hectares of crops destroyed, and 37,000 animals affected. This is going to have long-term effects on food security and livelihoods in the region. 😔
Proper planning is missing. I understand floods are natural, but why are we still seeing the same districts hit year after year with no permanent solutions? The Assam government should prioritize constructing raised roads and flood shelters in vulnerable areas. Also, why is only 440 people in relief camps when 57,000 are affected? Something doesn't add up.
Terrible news. The loss of even one life is too many, and five deaths this season already is alarming. I hope the international community is paying attention and offering assistance if needed. Floods don't respect borders
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