Assam flood death toll rises to 61, 14 more lives lost
GUWAHATI: The flood situation in Assam has become more serious with the death toll rising to 61 after 14 more flood-related deaths were reported, according to the latest bulletin issued by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA). The increase in casualties comes a day after Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma cautioned that the number of deaths could rise as rescue teams reached more inaccessible flood-hit areas across the state.
The latest ASDMA report said seven deaths were reported from Charaideo district, six from Sivasagar and one from Jorhat. One person has also been reported missing from the Nazira Revenue Circle in Sivasagar district raising fears that the toll may increase further as search and rescue operations continue.
Reviewing the flood situation, the Chief Minister had said, “Looking at the current situation, the death toll is expected to increase. The number will go up as we are able to reach more affected areas.” He noted that rescue teams and officials were still finding it difficult to access several of the worst-affected locations because of submerged roads and overflowing rivers.
According to the ASDMA, floods have affected 12 districts—Golaghat, Hojai, Charaideo, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Sivasagar, Nagaon, Kamrup (Metro), Karbi Anglong, Biswanath, Dhemaji and Sonitpur. A total of 37 revenue circles and 856 villages remain under water, affecting around 7.05 lakh people across the state.
The floods have also caused extensive damage to agriculture. Official figures show that 56,606.77 hectares of farmland have been submerged, leaving standing crops damaged and affecting the livelihoods of thousands of farming families already struggling with repeated floods.
Urban flooding has added to the difficulties in Kamrup and Kamrup (Metro) districts. Waterlogging continues in 10 localities and wards spread across two revenue circles, affecting nearly 14,986 people. Residents in several low-lying areas continue to face problems due to inundated roads and disruption of essential services.
Rescue and relief operations are continuing in the affected districts, with teams working to evacuate stranded people and provide food, drinking water and other essential supplies.
However, officials said many villages remain cut off because floodwaters have damaged road links and made several areas inaccessible, delaying both rescue efforts and damage assessment.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday offered full support to the Assam government in dealing with the ongoing flood havoc, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
In a post on X, Sarma said that Modi called him to enquire about the prevailing flood situation.
"He sought an update on the extent of the devastation, the ongoing relief operations and the challenges we are confronting on the ground," he added.
Sarma said that he briefed the PM on the measures the state government is undertaking and its efforts to reach out to every affected family.
"Expressing his deep condolences over the loss of lives and property, the Hon'ble Prime Minister assured the people of Assam that this calamity is being accorded the highest priority and the Government of India will extend every possible support to aid our relief, rehabilitation and rebuilding efforts," he added.