Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Guwahati: Assam remains in the grip of a devastating flood crisis. Official reports confirm 68 people are dead as 524,733 residents across nine districts struggle to survive. The deluge hit 763 villages. Water levels in the Dhansiri (South) River at Numaligarh remain above danger marks. No other river currently exceeds peak flood levels.
Sivasagar, Charaideo, and Jorhat districts face the brunt of the disaster. In Sivasagar alone, officials describe the situation as the worst in 50 years. District Commissioner Mridul Yadav confirmed 403,134 people are impacted there, with 31 deaths reported and three people still missing. The Forest Department deployed boats to reach 5,000 isolated residents. Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah stated the department stood "shoulder to shoulder" with the people of Assam.
State-wide, the damage is immense. Nearly 48,742 hectares of crop area are submerged. Infrastructure took a massive hit. 105 roads are damaged or underwater, while 350 schools and 101 power installations suffered destruction. Thousands of livestock perished. 26,512 cattle and poultry were washed away. 579 houses are fully destroyed, with 1,611 partially damaged.
Relief operations move at a war footing. 354 camps and distribution centres now shelter 37,724 people. 152 medical teams provide urgent care to prevent disease outbreaks. The Indian Air Force is flying sorties to drop supplies in areas where roads remain cut off. 10,000 kilograms of food have already been airlifted.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma promised no negligence in relief efforts. He announced plans to restore mud-caked schools using direct fund transfers. A Central assessment team arrived Sunday to evaluate the loss. Ministers will soon deploy to specific districts to oversee rebuilding. BJP workers aim to raise Rs 12 crore for supplies. The next 72 hours are critical. Officials work to drain the water and restore basic services.
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