Guwahati: The flood emergency in Assam has intensified once again, with the number of people who have lost their lives rising to 62 and more than seven lakh residents bearing the brunt of the disaster across 12 districts. Even as rainfall has eased in some places, overflowing rivers continue to inundate villages, keeping thousands of families away from their homes.
Fresh figures released by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) paint a worrying picture, with floodwaters still spread across vast stretches of the state. Hundreds of villages remain submerged, while thousands of people are living in relief camps or have taken shelter in safer locations after being forced to evacuate.
Rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local administration and police have continued evacuation and relief operations. Boats are being used to reach marooned villages where road access has been completely cut off. Authorities said food, drinking water, medicines and other essential supplies are being distributed through relief centres set up in the affected districts.
The floods have also dealt a severe blow to Assam’s farming community. More than 56,600 hectares of agricultural land are under water, raising fears of heavy crop losses and financial hardship for farmers whose fields were nearing harvest.
The Brahmaputra and several of its tributaries continue to flow above the danger mark at multiple locations, preventing floodwaters from receding quickly. Officials are monitoring the river levels closely as weather forecasts indicate the possibility of more rainfall over the coming days.
Beyond the immediate threat to lives, the floods have disrupted daily life across the affected districts. Schools have remained shut in several areas, transport services have been interrupted and damaged roads have left many villages isolated. In some places, electricity supply has also been affected, adding to the challenges faced by residents.
The Assam government has stepped up relief measures, while the Centre has assured all possible assistance. A central team is expected to assess the extent of the damage and coordinate further support for relief and rehabilitation.
Flooding is a recurring challenge in Assam during the monsoon, largely due to the Brahmaputra river system and heavy rainfall across the Northeast. However, officials say the scale of this year’s flooding has once again highlighted the vulnerability of low lying areas, where thousands of families continue to face uncertainty with every spell of heavy rain.
With river levels still high and rescue operations continuing, authorities have urged residents in vulnerable locations to remain alert and follow evacuation advisories until the situation improves.
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