Flood Situation Improves Slightly, But Thousands Remain Cut Off as Relief Operations Continue
The flood situation in Assam remained critical on Saturday, although water levels have started receding in some areas. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the death toll from this year’s floods has climbed to 61, with 14 more fatalities reported in the last 24 hours.
More than 7.05 lakh people have been affected across nine districts, while hundreds of villages remain submerged, thousands have been displaced, and rescue and relief operations continue in the worst-hit regions.
The state government has acknowledged that thousands of flood victims are still beyond the reach of relief teams due to inaccessible terrain and rising river levels.
Death Toll Climbs After Fresh Casualties
According to the latest ASDMA bulletin, 14 people lost their lives during the past 24 hours, taking the total number of flood related deaths this year to 61.
Among the latest casualties:
- Seven deaths were reported in Charaideo, including two women.
- Six people, including one woman, died in Sivasagar.
- One death was reported in Jorhat.
Most of the fatalities occurred due to drowning as floodwaters continued to inundate large parts of the affected districts.
Over 7 Lakh Residents Affected
The ASDMA reported that more than 7,05,100 people are currently affected across the following districts:
- Charaideo
- Dhemaji
- Dibrugarh
- Golaghat
- Hojai
- Jorhat
- Karbi Anglong
- Nagaon
- Sivasagar
Among them, Sivasagar remains the worst-affected district, with nearly 3.5 lakh people impacted.
It is followed by:
- Charaideo – around 1.9 lakh affected
- Jorhat – over 1.3 lakh affected
Although the number of affected people has declined slightly from more than 7.21 lakh reported earlier in the week, authorities say the overall situation remains serious.
Relief Yet to Reach Thousands
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma acknowledged that relief efforts are still facing significant logistical challenges.
According to the Chief Minister, nearly 80,000 flood-affected residents have not yet received relief materials because many villages remain inaccessible.
He stated that:
- Around 50,000 people in the Nazira Assembly constituency are still unreachable.
- Another 30,000 people in Sivasagar continue to remain cut off.
The Chief Minister said the administration is making every possible effort to reach stranded residents as conditions gradually improve.
Infrastructure and Agriculture Suffer Heavy Damage
The floods have caused extensive damage across Assam.
According to the ASDMA:
- 856 villages remain submerged.
- More than 56,606 hectares of agricultural land have been damaged.
- Roads, embankments, bridges, and other public infrastructure have suffered significant destruction.
The disaster has also severely affected livestock, with approximately 3.34 lakh domestic animals and poultry impacted across the state.
Rivers Still Flowing Above Danger Level
Despite a slight improvement in flood conditions, several rivers continue to flow above the danger mark.
The rivers currently above the danger level include:
- Dikhou River at Sivasagar
- Dhansiri River at Nanglamuraghat
- Dhansiri River at Numaligarh
- Kushiyara River at Sribhumi
Authorities remain on high alert as continued rainfall could further complicate the flood situation in vulnerable districts.
Relief and Rescue Operations Continue
The state administration has established 363 relief camps and relief distribution centres across seven districts.
At present, these facilities are sheltering over 1.15 lakh displaced people.
Rescue operations are being carried out jointly by multiple agencies, including:
- Indian Army
- National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
- State Disaster Response Force (SDRF)
- Fire & Emergency Services
- Assam Police
- Civil administration
Together, these agencies have rescued around 1,000 people from flood-affected areas, particularly in Jorhat and Sivasagar.
During the last 24 hours, authorities distributed essential relief supplies, including:
- 2,109.84 quintals of rice
- 383.93 quintals of dal
- 129.91 quintals of salt
- 9,646 litres of mustard oil
Outlook
Although water levels have begun to recede in some parts of Assam, the humanitarian crisis remains far from over.
Thousands of families continue to await relief, large agricultural areas remain underwater, and damaged infrastructure is expected to require extensive rehabilitation.
With several rivers still flowing above the danger mark and weather conditions remaining uncertain, authorities are continuing rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts while monitoring the flood situation closely.
