Guwahati, August 3: Assam continues to battle a severe flood crisis, with rising waters affecting more than 1.36 lakh people across five districts, damaging thousands of hectares of agricultural land, and claiming three lives in the worst-hit district of Sivasagar. According to the latest official figures, the floods have impacted 1,36,203 residents, inundated 335 villages, and affected 21 revenue circles, prompting the state government to intensify rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts.
The districts currently bearing the brunt of the floods are Golaghat, Jorhat, Sivasagar, Charaideo, and Dhemaji, where swollen rivers and continuous rainfall have submerged homes, roads, and farmlands. While authorities have managed to prevent urban flooding so far, the rural impact has been extensive, leaving thousands of families displaced and dependent on relief assistance.
State agencies, local volunteers, and disaster response teams continue to work around the clock to evacuate stranded residents, distribute essential supplies, and restore normalcy in the flood-affected areas.
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Over 1.36 Lakh Residents Affected Across Five Districts
The latest flood bulletin paints a concerning picture of the scale of the disaster. Officials confirmed that 1,36,203 people have been affected across the five districts, with villages remaining submerged under several feet of water.
The affected districts include:
- Golaghat
- Jorhat
- Sivasagar
- Charaideo
- Dhemaji
In total, 21 revenue circles and 335 villages have been impacted by the flooding. Large stretches of agricultural land have also been submerged, affecting the livelihoods of thousands of farming families.
Authorities reported that nearly 15,422 hectares of crop area have suffered flood damage, raising concerns over agricultural losses and the economic impact on rural communities. Farmers cultivating paddy and seasonal crops face significant setbacks, with many fields remaining underwater.
Three Dead, Two Missing in Sivasagar
The human toll of the floods has continued to rise.
Officials confirmed that three people have lost their lives in Sivasagar district, making it the worst-affected district in terms of casualties. Additionally, two people remain missing, with search operations continuing despite difficult conditions.
Rescue teams, including personnel from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), district administration, police, and local volunteers, remain engaged in locating the missing individuals while assisting stranded residents.
Authorities said there have been no reports of urban flooding in the current spell, with the crisis largely concentrated in rural and riverine regions.
Rescue Operations Continue as Villages Remain Cut Off
As floodwaters engulfed villages, rescue teams raced against time to evacuate residents trapped inside homes or stranded on rooftops, elevated platforms, and trees.
Several villages witnessed rapidly rising water levels that left residents with little time to escape. Boats became the only means of transportation in many submerged areas, helping rescuers move families to safer locations.
Disaster management authorities continue to monitor river levels while deploying additional resources to vulnerable areas as rainfall persists in parts of Upper Assam.
Local Heroes Rescue More Than 1,000 People
Among the most remarkable stories to emerge from the disaster has been the extraordinary effort of local residents who stepped forward before large-scale emergency teams could reach remote villages.
One of the volunteers, Chouhan Choudhury, described the terrifying speed with which floodwaters engulfed entire settlements.
According to Choudhury, water levels rose rapidly, entering homes within a short period and forcing families onto rooftops, makeshift wooden platforms (machans), and tree branches to escape.
Using six country-made wooden boats, local volunteers launched an immediate rescue mission despite the dangerous conditions.
“We were at home, but the water came at such a speed. We started saving others using boats. We have never seen something like this. We had six boats, including mine and others. We rescued the people whose houses were torn apart, who were stuck, and took them to town on these boats. We saved over 1,000 people from five villages,” Choudhury said.
The boats, originally built for routine village transportation rather than disaster response, became critical lifelines during the emergency. Their timely deployment enabled hundreds of families to escape rising waters before professional rescue teams reached the area.
The courage displayed by local volunteers has drawn widespread appreciation, highlighting the crucial role communities often play during natural disasters.
Government Intensifies Relief and Rehabilitation Efforts
The Assam government has accelerated relief operations across the affected districts.
Authorities are distributing:
- Food packets
- Drinking water
- Medicines
- Essential household supplies
- Temporary shelter assistance
Health teams have also been deployed to monitor sanitation conditions and prevent outbreaks of waterborne diseases, which often pose a secondary threat after floods.
District administrations continue assessing damage to homes, roads, embankments, schools, and public infrastructure to prepare long-term rehabilitation plans.
Minister Pijush Hazarika Reviews Ground Situation
As relief operations gathered pace, Assam Minister Pijush Hazarika visited the flood-hit Demow and Nazira Legislative Assembly Constituencies (LACs) in Sivasagar district.
During the visit, the minister reviewed ongoing rescue efforts and inspected relief measures being carried out by the district administration.
Officials briefed him on:
- Evacuation operations
- Distribution of relief materials
- Temporary shelter arrangements
- Restoration of essential services
- Crop and infrastructure damage
The visit was aimed at ensuring that assistance reaches affected families without delay while identifying additional requirements for rehabilitation.
Agriculture Suffers Major Losses
Floodwaters have severely impacted Assam’s agricultural sector.
According to official estimates, 15,422 hectares of farmland have been affected, causing extensive damage to standing crops.
The flooding comes during a crucial cultivation period, raising concerns over reduced agricultural output and financial hardship for farmers dependent on seasonal harvests.
Agricultural experts warn that prolonged waterlogging could affect soil quality and delay future sowing activities if floodwaters do not recede soon.
Chief Minister Thanks Adani Group and Reliance Foundation
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma acknowledged financial assistance received for flood relief efforts.
The Chief Minister thanked industrialist Gautam Adani, whose group contributed ₹11 crore to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
He also expressed gratitude to the Reliance Foundation, which donated ₹21 crore to support relief and rehabilitation initiatives.
The contributions are expected to strengthen ongoing rescue operations, provide relief materials, and assist families affected by the floods.
Disaster Management Agencies Remain on High Alert
With weather conditions remaining uncertain, disaster management authorities continue to monitor river levels across the state.
Officials are closely coordinating with:
- District administrations
- SDRF teams
- Local police
- Health departments
- Irrigation authorities
- Revenue officials
Emergency teams remain prepared to launch additional evacuations should water levels rise further in vulnerable regions.
Authorities have also urged residents living near rivers and low-lying areas to remain alert and follow official advisories.
Community Resilience Emerges Amid Crisis
Despite the devastation, stories of resilience have emerged from flood-hit villages.
Residents have worked collectively to rescue neighbours, share food supplies, provide temporary shelter, and assist elderly people and children stranded by floodwaters.
The efforts of local volunteers, combined with state-led rescue operations, have significantly reduced the risk of higher casualties in several villages where access remained extremely limited.
As Assam continues to face one of the season’s most challenging flood spells, the immediate priority remains rescuing stranded residents, providing humanitarian assistance, and restoring essential services.
While the loss of three lives and widespread agricultural damage underscore the seriousness of the crisis, coordinated action by government agencies, disaster response teams, local communities, and private organizations has helped sustain relief efforts across the affected districts.
With weather agencies continuing to monitor rainfall patterns and river levels, authorities remain vigilant against any further deterioration in the situation. For thousands of displaced families across Golaghat, Jorhat, Sivasagar, Charaideo, and Dhemaji, the coming days will be crucial as rescue operations gradually transition into rehabilitation and long-term recovery efforts.
