Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Guwahati: Assam’s flood crisis has claimed 68 lives. Over 5.24 lakh people remain impacted across nine districts including Charaideo, Sivasagar, and Jorhat. Floodwaters have submerged 763 villages and 48,742 hectares of cropland. Official data indicates 579 houses were destroyed while 1,611 sustained damage.
The scale of destruction is immense. Livestock losses are critical, with 88,240 animals impacted and 26,512 cattle and poultry washed away. BJP MLA Mrinal Saikia demanded direct government compensation for these losses. He noted, "The flood has completely shattered the economies of several districts in Assam, particularly the rural economy."
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed power restoration is underway across districts like Bongaigaon and Dhubri. The Assam Power Distribution Company Limited is conducting safety inspections before re-energizing lines. Air Force helicopters continue delivering supplies to inaccessible zones in Sivasagar. A central assessment team arrived Sunday to evaluate the damage for federal reporting.
The state has mobilized 152 medical teams, 36 boats, and two helicopters. Authorities established 354 relief camps and distribution centers housing 37,724 people. Essential supplies including 3,302 quintals of rice and 17,736 liters of mustard oil are being distributed. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal described the situation as very serious. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is monitoring the response.
Sarma plans to deploy cabinet ministers to oversee rehabilitation in hard-hit areas following the budget session. Critics, however, question the lack of early warnings for residents in Upper Assam. Singer Papon urged global support for the victims. He stated, "It rains a lot here, there are floods, but you can't imagine the situation this time."
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