The flood situation in Assam has deteriorated sharply, with the death toll rising to 31 and nearly 5.65 lakh (565,000) people now impacted across 12 districts. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority, 21 fatalities were recorded in a single day, highlighting the escalating severity of the disaster.
Rivers at Critical Levels
Several major rivers, including the Brahmaputra, are flowing above their danger marks. The Brahmaputra itself has crossed the danger level at Neamatighat. Its tributaries, Buridihing at Khowang and Dhansiri at Golaghat and Numaligarh, have also breached critical thresholds. Of particular concern, the Dikhou river at Sivasagar and the Disang river at Nanglamuraghat are both flowing above their highest flood levels, indicating extreme conditions.
Worst-Hit Regions and Casualties
Sivasagar district bears the brunt of the devastation, with close to 3.6 lakh people affected and 13 deaths, including four women and two children, reported in the last 24 hours. Charaideo district recorded five additional deaths, among them two children, while Golaghat lost two residents and Jorhat reported one fatality. Jorhat and Charaideo follow Sivasagar in terms of impact, affecting approximately 88,000 and 72,500 people respectively.
Rescue and Relief Operations Intensify
In response to the worsening crisis, coordinated rescue and relief efforts are underway. The Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), fire services, police, and various civil agencies have evacuated over 6,000 people from Charaideo, Golaghat, Jorhat, and Sivasagar. Authorities are operating 273 relief camps and distribution centres across 10 districts, providing shelter to 12,284 displaced individuals.
Humanitarian Aid Distributed
Over the past 24 hours, relief supplies have been distributed, including more than 5,000 quintals of rice, 956 quintals of dal, 265 quintals of salt, and over 20,000 litres of mustard oil, reaching affected communities.
Widespread Damage and Continued Alert
The floods have submerged 872 villages and damaged more than 24,210 hectares of agricultural land, severely impacting livelihoods. Approximately 1.85 lakh domestic animals and poultry have been caught in the disaster. Critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and embankments, has suffered damage across multiple districts, complicating relief efforts in already challenging terrains.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for Assam, warning of thunderstorms and heavy rain at isolated locations over the next four days, suggesting that the challenging conditions are likely to persist.