Assam Flood Toll Rises to 78; Fresh Rain Alert Issued as Over 3 Lakh Remain Affected

Assam Flood Toll Rises to 78; Over 3 Lakh Still Affected as IMD Warns of Fresh Rain

The death toll from this year’s floods in Assam rose to 78 on Wednesday after three more people lost their lives in Sivasagar and Golaghat districts, while more than 3 lakh people remain affected across seven districts, according to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA).

The latest fatalities include two deaths in Sivasagar and one in Golaghat. Floodwaters continue to affect 3,00,031 people across Sivasagar, Charaideo, Golaghat, Jorhat, Nagaon, Biswanath and Kamrup Metropolitan districts, inundating 551 villages spread across 21 revenue circles. More than 21,500 hectares of farmland remain submerged.

Charaideo is the worst-hit district with 1.37 lakh affected residents, followed by Sivasagar (84,600) and Jorhat (49,911). While the number of affected people has dropped slightly from 3.32 lakh reported a day earlier, authorities warned that the situation remains critical.

More than 16,500 displaced people are staying in 71 relief camps, while over 72,000 others are receiving assistance through 30 relief distribution centres. Rescue teams, medical personnel and veterinary units continue relief operations. The floods have also damaged roads, embankments, schools and homes, with over 11,000 animals washed away and another 17,000 livestock affected.

Urban flooding continues in Guwahati

Kamrup Metropolitan district continues to face urban flooding, with three revenue circles and 10 localities, including Lachit Nagar, Zoo Road, Hatigaon, Anil Nagar and Rukminigaon, still affected. Officials, however, said no population has been officially reported as impacted by the urban flooding.

Centre assures full support

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday reviewed the flood situation with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and assured continued assistance from the Centre for relief, restoration and rebuilding efforts.

Sarma said floodwaters have receded since July 21, but the destruction remains extensive. Many families are unable to return home because their houses are damaged or buried under mud and silt, while several roads remain blocked due to debris from the hills of Nagaland.

The Chief Minister also announced a meeting with banks operating in Assam on Thursday to discuss special relief measures for flood-hit borrowers, following directions from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Army reviews relief operations

Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth reviewed flood relief efforts during his two-day visit to the Eastern Theatre, where he assessed operational preparedness and commended troops assisting the civil administration in rescue and relief work.

IMD issues fresh rain warning

Even as floodwaters gradually recede, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms across Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland from July 30 to August 1.

An orange alert has been issued for Tinsukia district, while neighbouring districts in Nagaland are also under alert. The weather office warned that fresh rainfall could trigger waterlogging, flash floods, landslides and disrupt road traffic in vulnerable areas.

Authorities have urged residents in flood-prone areas to remain alert and follow official advisories as emergency response teams remain on standby.