Assam floods: Death toll rises to 95, 14 districts on high alert
Guwahati, August 5
The flood situation in Assam remains grim as six more individuals lost their lives in the last 24 hours, taking the total death toll in this year's monsoon season to 95.
According to the latest report from the Disaster Reporting and Information Management System (DRIMS), the state is grappling with both widespread rural inundation and critical urban flooding across multiple districts.
Out of the six fresh fatalities reported on Wednesday, five deaths were attributed to the general flood situation--two each from Biswanath and Sivasagar districts, and one from Golaghat. One person died due to urban flooding in the Mayong revenue circle of Morigaon district. One person has also been reported missing in Udalguri.
The Dhansiri (S) river at Numaligarh continues to flow above the danger level, keeping 14 districts on high alert. The affected districts include Golaghat, Lakhimpur, Charaideo, Sivasagar, Biswanath, Dhemaji, Kamrup (M), Jorhat, Sonitpur, Tinsukia, Nagaon, Darrang, Karbi Anglong, and Udalguri.
In total, over 1.6 lakh people across 563 villages have been hit by the current wave of flooding. Sivasagar remains the worst-affected district with over 57,000 people impacted, followed by Golaghat and Jorhat.
The report said that the deluge has caused massive damage to the state's infrastructure. DRIMS reports indicate seven major embankment breaches, five in Biswanath at Brahmajan and two in Darrang at Mangaldoi. A steel bridge in Charaideo (Cholapothar) and a footbridge in Udalguri (Tangla) have also been damaged.
Vast tracts of agricultural land are submerged, with 16,951 hectares of crop area currently under water. The livestock population has also taken a heavy hit; over 35,000 animals are affected, and approximately 8,500 animals, primarily in Sivasagar, have been washed away.
Urban centres, including Guwahati, are facing severe waterlogging. Four districts, i.e Kamrup, Kamrup (M), Morigaon, and Jorhat, reported urban flood impacts affecting 734 people. In Kamrup (M), SDRF and DDRF personnel deployed boats to evacuate 80 people from submerged localities, including Satgaon and Hatigaon. Partial waterlogging continues to hamper daily life in Guwahati's Juripar and Anil Nagar areas.
The state government has intensified relief operations, opening 45 relief camps that are currently housing 12,356 inmates.
Additionally, 59 distribution centres are providing essential supplies to over 32,000 people. Massive quantities of rice, dal, salt, and cattle feed are being dispatched to the worst-hit zones.
Authorities continue to monitor the river levels as the meteorological department predicts further rainfall in the catchment areas, potentially exacerbating the already critical situation.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The loss of over 35,000 livestock is devastating for rural families who depend on them for their livelihood. Farmers are losing everything - their crops, their animals, their homes. The government needs to ensure proper compensation reaches these families quickly, not just through paperwork but on the ground.
1.6 lakh people affected in 563 villages but only 12,356 people are in relief camps? What about the rest? The reporting seems to suggest people are staying in their homes despite the floodwaters. We need better evacuation strategies, especially in the districts on high alert. 🙏
As someone who spent years working in disaster management in South Asia, I can say the problems here are systemic - it's not just about relief but about building resilience. The government needs to invest in early warning systems, sustainable embankment design, and community-based flood preparedness. Praying for all those affected. 🙏
Urban flooding in Guwahati is a wake-up call. We blame nature but our unchecked construction, clogged drainage and poor town planning are equally responsible. Juripar and Anil Nagar being waterlogged every year is just not acceptable. The city needs serious infrastructure reforms, not just band-aid fixes.
The government should also address the Assam-Mizoram border issues and river sharing disputes with neighbouring states. Floods are not just a natural disaster here; they're also a political and policy failure. The condition of these embankment breaches shows decades of neglect. Time for serious accountability.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.