Kohima: The Ministry of Home Affairs shut down claims that cloudbursts triggered July's deadly floods in Assam. The government confirmed that incessant rain across Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland caused the disaster. No cloudbursts occurred. The Regional Meteorological Centre in Guwahati verified these findings.
The India Meteorological Department issued district-level warnings ahead of the heavy rainfall. Forecasters flagged extreme weather for Jorhat, Golaghat, Sivasagar, and Charaideo seven days before the July 18 to 20 storms hit. An upper-air cyclonic circulation pushed through Northeast and Central Assam, locking in strong monsoonal activity across the region.
Death tolls climbed steadily as the waters rose. Data shows 78 people died between July 1 and 31. Sivasagar led the state with 42 fatalities, followed by 20 in Charaideo, nine in Jorhat, three in Golaghat, two in Karbi Anglong, and one each in Dhemaji and Sonitpur. By August 4, the official count hit 88. Families of 71 victims have already received ex-gratia payments.
Relief efforts remain a priority. The government eased the process to get cash to grieving families. According to the MHA, "submission of a post-mortem report is not mandatory for sanction and payment of ex-gratia assistance" for those killed by floods or other disasters under SDRF and NDRF rules.
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