Assam Flood Death Toll Hits 47 as Disaster Deepens

Guwahati: Assam’s flood crisis escalated Friday, with the death toll climbing to 47. Six more fatalities occurred over the last 24 hours. The disaster has hit over 7.21 lakh people across 11 districts, spanning 37 revenue circles and 883 villages. Water levels remain dangerous.

Sivasagar remains the worst-hit area, reporting 3.75 lakh affected residents. Charaideo and Jorhat follow, with 1.86 lakh and 1.15 lakh people impacted, respectively. The flood-hit population grew from 6.43 lakh earlier in the week. Nearly 94 percent of the affected reside in these three districts.

Relief efforts are underway. 103 camps now shelter 24,124 displaced people. Authorities also manage 255 relief distribution centres to provide food and water. The Bharat Sevashram Sangha, led by Swami Purnabratananda, dispatched its first relief shipment. The supply list includes 1,000 kg of bleaching powder, 2,000 bottles of water, 400 kg of rice, and 200 sarees for distribution in Nagaon and Jorhat.

Agricultural losses are mounting. Floodwaters submerged 25,375.44 hectares of farmland. Standing crops are ruined. Roads, bridges, and embankments have sustained heavy damage across several districts. Approximately 3,71,609 domestic animals and poultry are impacted.

Rivers are surging. The Buridihing, Disang, Dikhou, Dhansiri, and Kushiyara remain above danger marks. Officials issued an orange alert as waters continue to rise. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma held a high-level meeting in Dispur to review operations. He dismissed claims regarding hydroelectric projects and attributed the devastation to extreme rainfall in Nagaland and Assam. He stated: "The people are in a difficult situation, and the government will try to help them in all possible ways."

Army, Air Force, NDRF, and SDRF teams continue rescue operations. Political tensions also flared in the Assam Assembly, where Raijor Dal MLA Akhil Gogoi was suspended after protesting a rejected adjournment motion. The Centre plans to send an inter-ministerial team to assess damage and coordinate long-term recovery.