Assam Floods Worsen as Heavy Rain Affects 6.5 Lakh People Across 21 Districts, Rivers Cross Danger Mark
The flood situation in Assam continues to remain grim as heavy and incessant rainfall has caused water levels to rise sharply, affecting around 6.5 lakh people across 21 districts. With rivers flowing above the danger mark and new areas inundated daily, the situation has turned critical, prompting extensive rescue and relief efforts. The relentless rainfall has particularly impacted the districts of Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Nalbari, Goalpara, and Baksa, where the floodwaters have submerged large portions of the region. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), a total of 6,33,114 people in 69 revenue circles and 1,506 villages are reeling under floodwater.
The state has witnessed a tragic rise in casualties as six more people lost their lives due to flood-related incidents in Hailakandi, Sribhumi, Morigaon, Cachar, Sonitpur, and Tinsukia districts. With this, the total death toll from this year’s floods and landslides has risen to 17. The worst-affected district is Sribhumi, where over 2.31 lakh people have been hit by the deluge, followed by Nagaon with nearly one lakh affected and Cachar with over 89,000 impacted residents. These figures underline the widespread devastation caused by the ongoing natural disaster.
Relief and rehabilitation measures have been intensified as 223 relief camps are currently operational, housing 39,746 displaced individuals. Additionally, 288 relief distribution centres have been set up to provide food, water, and essential supplies to those in need. Despite these efforts, transportation and connectivity remain disrupted. Road, railway, and ferry services have been significantly affected, adding to the challenges faced by local residents and authorities.
Seven major rivers, including the Brahmaputra, are flowing above the danger level, posing a continued threat to low-lying areas. In Hailakandi district, the Katakhal River has overtopped its highest flood level at Matizuri, worsening the already precarious situation. The Brahmaputra River is also surging above danger levels at multiple points, raising fears of further inundation in downstream areas.
The Regional Meteorological Centre in Guwahati has forecasted heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated places across the state in the coming days. Districts such as Dhubri, South Salmara-Mankachar, Goalpara, and Kokrajhar are expected to witness thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 30-40 kmph. These weather conditions could exacerbate the flooding and hamper ongoing rescue and relief operations.
The people of Assam are enduring a difficult time as the monsoon-triggered floods continue to wreak havoc. While the state machinery is working relentlessly to mitigate the crisis, the scale of the disaster has posed severe logistical and humanitarian challenges. With more rain on the horizon, the situation remains highly volatile and demands constant vigilance.
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