No cloudburst in Assam during July floods, 71 families get ex‑gratia: Centre
New Delhi, Aug 12
The Central Government on Wednesday clarified that no cloudburst was reported in Assam during the floods in July 2026, stating that the deluge was caused by incessant rainfall in Assam, neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland.
Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai made the clarification in a written reply to an unstarred question in the Rajya Sabha regarding flood damage, casualties and ex‑gratia relief in Assam.
Rai said the information furnished by the Assam government indicated that the July floods were triggered by persistent rainfall not only within the state but also in the neighbouring states of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. "However, no cloudburst was reported by the Regional Meteorological Centre‑India Meteorological Department (RMC‑IMD), Guwahati," the Minister said.
The clarification is significant as the question raised in the Rajya Sabha had specifically sought details of districts in Assam affected by floods resulting from cloudbursts in Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, along with district‑wise casualties attributed to cloudbursts and floods during July.
According to the Centre, the district‑wise details of deaths reported due to floods during July 2026 were furnished by the Assam government through its Disaster Reporting and Information Management System (DRIMS).
The reply also addressed concerns over post‑mortem examinations in cases where deaths occurred during floods and other natural disasters. Rai said that under a notification issued by the Assam government on August 1, 2026, submission of a post‑mortem report is not mandatory for sanction and payment of ex‑gratia assistance in cases of death caused by floods and other notified natural disasters, including state‑specific disasters.
The assistance is provided under the norms of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), the Minister said.
The Centre further disclosed that ex‑gratia assistance had been provided to the families of 71 deceased individuals till August 4, 2026.
The clarification comes amid widespread flooding in Assam during the monsoon season, with heavy rainfall in the state and upstream areas of neighbouring northeastern states contributing to the rise in water levels and inundation in several areas.
The Ministry of Home Affairs' response also makes clear that the Centre's assessment does not attribute the July flooding to cloudburst events. Instead, the official explanation points to sustained and intense rainfall across Assam and its neighbouring states as the primary factor behind the flooding.
The Rajya Sabha question was raised by MP Terash Gowalla, who had also sought information on whether post‑mortem examinations were conducted for all victims and details of financial or administrative assistance extended to the families of those who died.
The Centre's response indicates that the Assam government's relief mechanism allows ex‑gratia payments to be processed without making post‑mortem reports a mandatory requirement in notified disaster‑related deaths, while relief has already reached the families of 71 victims as of August 4.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Classic "bureaucratic clarification" - they're more interested in correcting the record about "cloudburst" terminology than actually addressing why so many families are still suffering. Instead of debating meteorological terms, they should be focusing on relief and rebuilding efforts.
It's understandable that people want clarity on what caused the floods, but the focus should shift to preventive measures. The Brahmaputra basin floods are a recurring nightmare for Assam. Maybe it's time for a comprehensive national flood management plan for the Northeast.
At least they've made post-mortem reports not mandatory for ex-gratia now. That will help poor families in rural areas who can't afford to run around for certificates. But 71 families is just a fraction - what about the hundreds whose homes and crops were destroyed? 😔
The minister should also explain why siltation and encroachment in the Brahmaputra have made floods worse every year. We need long-term solutions, not just clarifications in Rajya Sabha. Science is clear - these are not one-off events but a pattern.
Having visited Assam during the floods last year, the situation is far worse than what reports show. Glad the Centre is at least acknowledging the issue, but they need to speed up relief distribution. Every day delayed means more misery for already marginalised communities.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.