Assam floods: Death toll reaches 100, over 1.37 lakh people still affected

Guwahati: Assam continued to battle severe flooding on Monday, with the death toll from this year’s deluge reaching 100. More than 1.37 lakh people remain affected across seven districts, even as authorities continue relief and rescue operations.

According to the latest official data, the flood-related deaths include 60 men, 23 women and 18 children. 

Sivasagar, Cachar among worst-hit districts

Sivasagar has reported the highest number of deaths at 49, followed by Cachar with 22. Karimganj has recorded nine deaths, while Golaghat has reported eight. Fatalities have also been reported from Dhemaji, Nagaon, Udalguri, Sonitpur and Karbi Anglong.

The latest ASDMA bulletin said more than 1,37,500 people are currently affected across Charaideo, Darrang, Golaghat, Jorhat, Karbi Anglong, Nagaon and Sivasagar.

Golaghat remains the worst-affected district in terms of the number of people affected, with nearly 70,000 residents hit by the floods. Sivasagar has around 40,000 affected people, while Jorhat has more than 16,000.

As many as 456 villages remain inundated, while floods have damaged around 11,933 hectares of cropland.

Floodwaters have also caused damage to embankments, roads, bridges and other infrastructure in several parts of the state.

The Dhansiri at Golaghat and Numaligarh and the Kushiyara at Sribhumi are flowing above the danger level, according to the ASDMA.

The floods have also affected 43,331 domestic animals and poultry across Assam.

Authorities are operating 125 relief camps and relief distribution centres across six districts. As many as 49,061 people are currently taking shelter in these facilities.

Relief agencies have distributed rice, dal, salt and mustard oil among affected residents during the past 24 hours. The distribution included more than 710 quintals of rice, 127 quintals of dal, 38 quintals of salt and over 3,700 litres of mustard oil.

Financial assistance announced

Support for Assam has also come from outside the state. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai announced Rs 5 crore in financial assistance for flood relief and rehabilitation in Assam.

Sai also spoke with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over the phone and discussed the flood situation and ongoing relief efforts.

With several areas still inundated and rivers flowing above danger levels, district administrations and relief agencies continue to monitor the situation and provide assistance to affected communities.

(With agency inputs)