"Flood situation in Assam is very serious": Sonowal says Centre, state jointly carrying out relief operations
Dibrugarh, July 26
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday described the flood situation in Assam as "very serious" and said the Centre and the state government are working together to carry out relief and rescue operations for those affected.
Speaking to reporters, Sonowal said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been closely monitoring the situation since the floods began and has remained in constant touch with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
"The flood situation in Assam is very serious, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been engaged in gathering information about this situation from the very beginning. He has also spoken to Assam Chief Minister, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, and has also gathered information about this situation. From the very beginning, the Central Government has been fully engaged in providing assistance to the State Government and to help all our flood-affected people in this situation. Both the governments are jointly distributing relief material and carrying out rescue operations," Sonowal said.
He said the Prime Minister also spoke to him on Sunday morning, sought an update on the ground situation and assured the people of Assam of all possible assistance from the Centre.
"The Prime Minister called me this morning and inquired about the situation. I explained the details of what I personally saw yesterday, and the Prime Minister said, 'Tell the people of Assam that we stand with them and are ready to provide any assistance.' The state government and the central government will jointly take action on this issue. We will take whatever steps are necessary. As per the Prime Minister's instructions, a high-level inter-ministerial team has arrived and will be speaking with the affected people and assessing their situation," he said.
Expressing condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, Sonowal said the Centre and the Assam government were working together to support flood victims, while the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) continued rescue and relief operations.
"The flood situation in Assam is extremely critical. People have lost their homes, and many have lost their relatives. I pray for the souls of those who lost their lives and extend my deepest condolences to their families. The Central and Assam governments are working together to support those affected. The NDRF and SDRF are carrying out rescue operations and providing relief to flood victims," he added.
Meanwhile, Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia said lakhs of people had been displaced by the floods and extensive damage had been caused to agricultural land across the state.
"Lakhs of people are having to leave their homes due to floods. Lakhs of hectares of agricultural land have been damaged. Pets have also suffered. Overall, around 16 districts across Upper Assam are facing devastating floods. The Assam government is fully supporting those affected. Arrangements for their rehabilitation will be made later. Currently, more than 40 relief camps are being set up in Sivasagar alone. Around 20,000 people are in relief camps in Sivasagar alone," Saikia said.
According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the death toll in the ongoing floods has risen to 66 after four more people died in the last 24 hours.
The ASDMA's Disaster Reporting and Information Management System (DRIMS) report stated that the toll includes 65 flood-related deaths and one death due to urban flooding. Three of the latest fatalities were reported from Sivasagar district and one from Charaideo.
As of July 25, more than 6.54 lakh people across 10 districts--Golaghat, Charaideo, Kamrup, Hojai, Dibrugarh, Sivasagar, Jorhat, Sonitpur, Kamrup (Metropolitan) and Nagaon--remain affected by the floods. Sivasagar is the worst-hit district, with 2,90,777 people affected, followed by Charaideo (1,88,404) and Jorhat (1,31,948).
The report said 810 villages across 28 revenue circles remain inundated, with nearly 34,970.8 hectares of agricultural land submerged. It also noted that the Dikhou River in Sivasagar and the Dhansiri (South) River at Numaligarh continue to flow above the danger level, according to the Central Water Commission.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good to see PM Modi personally monitoring the situation and speaking to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The inter-ministerial team visiting is a positive step. But I hope relief reaches the most remote villages in Sivasagar and Charaideo, not just the towns. The Dikhou River overflowing is scary—people need evacuation help ASAP.
I'm from Bangalore but have family in Jorhat. The flood season is always tough there. While relief operations are important, I'm frustrated that every year we have the same story—loss of life, submerged farmland, and displacement. Where is the climate adaptation plan? Assam's rivers need dredging and better flood management.
Sarbananda Sonowal is doing a good job highlighting the seriousness of this crisis. Growing up in Dibrugarh, I know how devastating these floods are for farmers. 🙏 The NDRF and SDRF teams are heroes working in tough conditions. But 810 villages inundated is massive—we need more relief camps and medical aid to prevent waterborne diseases.
Every year, same story: floods in Assam, politicians making statements, and people suffering. I respect the efforts, but why isn't there a permanent solution? The Brahmaputra and its tributaries need proper management. Also, 66 deaths is too many—early warning systems need improvement. Let's hope this year's tragedy leads to real action, not just photo ops.
So sad to see this. 😢 My thoughts are with the families who lost loved ones. I'm glad both governments are coordinating, but 34
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