Assam Flood Toll Hits 98 as State Prepares Digital Damage Assessment

Guwahati: Assam flood fatalities climbed to 98 as the state deals with the aftermath of a punishing deluge. Latest reports from the Assam State Disaster Management Authority confirm the latest death occurred in the Mahmora revenue circle of Charaideo district. While waters are slowly retreating, the situation remains dire for thousands.

Some 1,55,849 people remain stranded across 13 districts. This marks a decrease from Thursday's count of 1.68 lakh residents across 15 districts. Floodwaters currently impact 33 revenue circles and 464 villages. The Dhansiri River remains a threat, flowing above danger levels at Golaghat town and Numaligarh. In Sribhumi district, the Kushiyara River also sits above its danger mark. Cropland totaling 10,748.64 hectares is submerged, with over 47,000 animals caught in the flood.

Golaghat stays the worst-hit zone with 58,750 people impacted. Sivasagar follows with 48,286, and Jorhat with 25,259. Other affected districts include Nagaon, Hojai, Sonitpur, Dhemaji, Darrang, Biswanath, Kamrup (Metro), Lakhimpur, Udalguri, and Charaideo. Authorities operate 55 relief camps housing over 10,000 people. Another 18 relief distribution centers provide aid.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a shift to digital damage tracking starting August 9. Teams will use a tool titled Rapid Assessment Survey of Flood Damage and Post Disaster Needs Assessment to log losses via photos and data uploads. The survey runs through August 30. Officials hope to bypass manual delays to ensure cash reaches families faster.

Sarma stated: “Officers concerned will upload images of the damage on a dedicated app. Thereafter, an assessment will be made by August 30, followed by re-verification with affected families.” He expects the system to be precise. The government aims to deliver the maximum relief permissible under existing norms to all genuine victims.