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Key Points

Unprecedented flooding in Assam has created a humanitarian crisis, with thousands of residents displaced and entire districts underwater. The Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, home to rare one-horned rhinoceroses, has been particularly hard-hit, with 60% of its area submerged. Rescue teams are working tirelessly to evacuate affected populations and provide relief in 21 districts. The situation remains critical, with rising water levels continuing to threaten lives, wildlife, and agricultural lands.

Key Points: Assam Floods Devastate Sribhumi Villagers and Wildlife Sanctuary

  • Brahmaputra River floods overwhelm 60% of Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
  • 12 lives lost and over 6.33 lakh people affected across 21 districts
  • Sribhumi district most severely impacted with 2,31,536 people displaced
3 min read

My house has submerged, we are living on the road, Villagers in crisis as floods continue in Sribhumi, Assam

Catastrophic floods in Assam submerge homes, displace thousands, and threaten Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary's rhino population

"My house has submerged, and we have been living on the road for the past 3-4 days. - Baatgram Villager"

North Sribhumi June 5

The flood situation in Assam has reached a critical point. In the Sribhumi district, many houses and commercial areas were inundated, leading to the disruption of normal life. Reports from Baatgram in the North Sribhumi area show the extent of the devastation.

While speaking to ANI on Thursday, a villager from Baatgram described the situation, saying, "My house has submerged, and we have been living on the road for the past 3-4 days. The water level is rising."

Earlier, it was reported that around 60 per cent of Assam's Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, home to the country's highest density of one-horned rhinoceroses, has been submerged due to flooding caused by rising waters from the Brahmaputra River, threatening the habitat of the endangered animal species.

According to sanctuary authorities, 10 out of 17 anti-poaching camps inside the 16 sq km protected area have been inundated, severely affecting forest operations and forcing wildlife, including the iconic species, to move to higher ground."

After June 1, we have received a significant influx of water from the Brahmaputra through channels linked to the sanctuary," said Pranjal Baruah, Ranger of Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, to ANI.

"Floodwaters have also entered via the Kopili River through the Goronga Beel, causing between 60 and 80 per cent of the sanctuary to be submerged," he added.

According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), this year's floods have claimed 12 lives, with five more deaths attributed to landslides. On Tuesday alone, six more people, including two children, drowned in floodwaters.

The ASDMA reported one death each in the Hailakandi, Sribhumi, Morigaon, Cachar, Sonitpur, and Tinsukia districts, while one person was reported missing in Cachar. It has affected over 6.33 lakh people across 21 districts in the state, including Hailakandi, Nagaon, Sribhumi, Kamrup, Hojai, Lakhimpur, Morigaon, Cachar, Golaghat, Dibrugarh, Barpeta, Biswanath, Sonitpur, Dhemaji, Majuli, Karbi Anglong West, Darrang, Sivasagar, Tinsukia, Dima-Hasao, and Jorhat.

Currently, 1506 villages under 69 revenue circles are submerged, with 14,739.33 hectares of crop area inundated. Sribhumi district is the worst affected, with 2,31,536 people impacted, followed by Nagaon (99,819), Cachar (89,344), Hailakandi (78,038), and Lakhimpur (43,651), as per ASDMA. Over 2.57 lakh people are sheltering in 511 relief camps and distribution centres across flood-hit areas. Additionally, 494,132 domestic animals have also been affected in the ongoing crisis, and floodwaters washed away 151 animals on Tuesday.

Teams from NDRF, SDRF, Fire and Emergency Services, Civil Defence, and trained volunteers are conducting rescue and relief operations. On Tuesday alone, 863 flood-affected individuals were rescued from various areas.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh K.
This is heartbreaking 💔 Every year Assam faces floods but the situation seems to be worsening. The government needs long-term solutions beyond just relief camps. What about better embankments and flood control measures? My prayers with all affected families.
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Priya M.
The rhinos in Pobitora Sanctuary! 😢 This flood isn't just a human tragedy but an ecological disaster too. Assam's biodiversity is our national treasure. Why aren't we hearing more about wildlife rescue operations? #SaveAssamWildlife
A
Arjun S.
I'm from Guwahati and this year's floods are unprecedented. The Brahmaputra has become more unpredictable. Climate change is real, folks. We need to stop deforestation in upper catchment areas and improve drainage systems urgently.
M
Meena T.
Where are all the celebrities who do charity shows? Assam needs help NOW. Not just food and shelter but also medical aid to prevent waterborne diseases. Can't we have a special donation drive like we do for other disasters?
S
Sunil R.
The numbers are staggering - 6 lakh+ people affected! Why does mainstream media give more coverage to Bollywood gossip than this humanitarian crisis? Assam is part of India too. Time for national attention and collective action.
N
Neha P.
My cousin is an NDRF volunteer there. They're working 24/7 with limited resources. Salute to these heroes! But why does it take a disaster for us to appreciate their work? We need better infrastructure and equipment for them beforehand.
K
Kiran D.
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