AASU Demands National Attention for Assam's Flood Crisis

The All Assam Students' Union (AASU) has renewed its demand for the flood and erosion crisis in Assam to be recognized as a national issue. With 12 districts affected by severe flooding, AASU president Utpal Sarma emphasized the need for a comprehensive national response. He highlighted the devastating impact on communities in Charaideo, Jorhat, and Sivasagar, calling for a thorough investigation into the causes of the disaster. Sarma urged the government to provide a special assistance package for affected families, many of whom have lost their homes and livelihoods. As relief efforts continue, the humanitarian situation remains dire, with many families still cut off from essential resources.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 25, 2026, 18:19 IST

Urgent Call for National Recognition of Flood Issues

AASU providing relief to flood victims in Teok, Jorhat, on Saturday. (Photo Credit)

Guwahati, July 25: Twelve districts in Assam are currently facing severe flooding, leading to extensive damage and disrupted transportation. In response, the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) has reiterated its demand for the flood and erosion crisis in the state to be recognized as a national issue.

During a press conference held in the flood-affected Rabibarua village in Jorhat's Teok, AASU president Utpal Sarma highlighted the catastrophic impact of the flooding in Charaideo, Jorhat, and Sivasagar, emphasizing the urgent need for a national-level response.

"The government has historically overlooked this critical issue. The current crisis has laid bare the harsh realities faced by Assam, pushing the state into economic turmoil," Sarma stated.

He reaffirmed AASU's stance that Assam's ongoing flood and erosion challenges warrant national acknowledgment.

"While Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma claims no issue has been designated as national, floods have plagued Assam's economy since Independence. The government cannot label Assam's resources as national assets while ignoring its challenges," he added.

Sarma urged that the extent of devastation, particularly in Upper Assam, can only be fully appreciated by witnessing it firsthand.

"Those who have not experienced the destruction in Jorhat, Charaideo, and Sivasagar will not grasp the severity. Approximately 247 families remain stranded, surrounded by floodwaters. Roads have been so severely damaged that neither boats nor individuals can navigate due to the strong currents," he explained.

He also called for a thorough investigation into the causes of the disaster, stressing the need to understand whether the cloudburst was the sole factor or if other elements contributed to the flooding. Public concerns regarding coal mining, deforestation for plywood production, and illegal embankment activities exacerbating the situation must be addressed, he stated.

Sarma emphasized that the government must take decisive action, as relief and rehabilitation efforts cannot rest solely on the shoulders of citizens.

"A special assistance package for the affected districts is essential. Current compensation measures are inadequate. Families reliant on agriculture have lost livestock, homes, and their means of livelihood. Many may never recover economically despite years of hard work," he remarked.

AASU has also urged the state government to accelerate relief and rescue operations, noting that numerous affected families are still isolated without access to food, clean drinking water, or communication.

Sarma mentioned that many individuals remain unaccounted for, and the humanitarian crisis persists, even as water levels begin to drop in some regions.

During their visit, the AASU team distributed food and safe drinking water to residents impacted by the floods and assessed the situation in the affected villages.