Death Toll Hits 82 as 1.92 Lakh Affected by Assam Floods

Assam’s flood crisis continues to escalate as the death toll rose to 82, with 1.92 lakh people affected across multiple districts including Sivasagar, Golaghat, Jorhat, Nagaon, and Charaideo. Officials reported two additional fatalities on Saturday, emphasizing the urgency of ongoing relief operations.

As of now, the flood situation shows signs of improvement compared to Thursday, when over 200,000 residents faced inundation across eight districts. Yet, Dikhow and Dhansiri rivers remain in a “severe flood situation,” particularly alarming in Sivasagar and Numaligarh in Golaghat.

Authorities have urged residents to avoid these areas as they work around the clock to implement effective flood relief efforts. Currently, around 13,000 people are sheltered in 54 relief camps set up by state agencies.

In addition, 26 relief distribution centres actively cater to 5,384 individuals with essential supplies. Multiple agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), are deployed for on-ground assistance.

In response to the calamity, the state government is coordinating with insurance companies and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) to facilitate quick claim settlements for affected households. They also aim to grant a moratorium to borrowers in the flood-stricken regions.

Officials reported that Sivasagar is the worst-hit district with 63,492 residents affected, closely followed by Jorhat and Charaideo, accounting for 34,067 and 77,456 affected individuals, respectively. The government’s measures primarily focus on the most severely impacted regions.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced plans for a cabinet meeting on August 5 with private and government insurance firms to expedite claim processing for losses related to vehicles, livestock, and property.

In a recent gathering of the State Level Bankers’ Committee, it was decided that all flood-affected families in the four districts would receive a six-month moratorium on loan repayments. These resolutions aim to alleviate financial burden on those who suffered due to the deluge.

On social media, Sonowal expressed strong support for the impacted families, stating, “As floods affect four districts of Assam, our government stands firmly with every affected family.” He also confirmed that over ₹41 crore has been allocated under the PM Surya Ghar scheme to assist 9,289 beneficiaries in the flooded regions.

The Chief Minister also directed the Power Department to ensure that the Assam Power Distribution Corporation Limited transfers these funds directly into affected households’ bank accounts by Tuesday.

Residents and officials alike continue to grapple with the realities of the devastating floods. As efforts persist, the state remains vigilant, showing commitment to restoring normalcy and rebuilding the affected communities. The focus now shifts towards comprehensive assessment and speedy disbursement of relief funds to those in need.