Rescue Operations Intensify Amidst Flood Crisis in Upper Assam

Rescue Efforts Amidst Rising Waters

As floodwaters inundated villages, severing road connections and leaving thousands stranded in Upper Assam, rescue boats became a beacon of hope.

While the public's gaze remained fixed on the swollen rivers and submerged homes, a different narrative unfolded in the flood-affected districts of Jorhat, Sivasagar, and Golaghat, highlighting the dedication of those leading the rescue missions.

Members of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Civil Defence, district disaster response teams, Fire and Emergency Services, Assam Police, and local volunteers worked relentlessly, often under difficult conditions, to rescue trapped residents, evacuate vulnerable families, and provide aid to isolated communities.

NDRF: A Race Against Time

For Kuldeep Sharma, the Second-in-Command of the 1st Battalion NDRF, the emergency response began well before the media caught wind of the situation.

"We have teams stationed in Jorhat permanently. On the night of July 19, we started receiving distress calls as villages began to submerge. Every operation since has focused on reaching people before it’s too late," he explained.

To date, the NDRF has successfully rescued 568 individuals from the flood-affected regions surrounding Jorhat. In addition to evacuating families, they transported critically ill patients through submerged roads to hospitals, often navigating treacherous currents and fluctuating water levels.

In close collaboration with local authorities, the NDRF maintained continuous rescue operations despite the challenging circumstances.

One of the most arduous missions took place in the remote Kawaimari Mising village in Teok, where road access was completely severed.

Responding to an alert from the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), the NDRF launched boats nearly 5 km from the village to evacuate a critically ill elderly woman.

"In one instance, residents were on the brink of drowning when our team arrived. Another critical operation involved rescuing patients from a hospital located within the Teok tea estate, including a 20-day-old newborn," Sharma recounted.

Even as some areas see a slowdown in rescue operations, the NDRF remains poised for any new emergencies.

"When not engaged in rescues, we conduct awareness programs in vulnerable villages to educate residents on flood safety," Sharma added.

SDRF: Transitioning from Rescue to Relief

Alongside the NDRF, the State Disaster Response Force has been actively deployed since the onset of the floods on July 19. During the initial phase of the disaster, SDRF personnel worked tirelessly, conducting evacuation operations.

As water levels began to recede from July 21, their focus shifted towards distributing relief and supporting rehabilitation efforts while remaining ready for any new emergencies.

"We have been on the ground since the night of July 19. While evacuation operations are now complete, our teams continue to distribute relief supplies and are prepared for any new emergencies," an SDRF official stated.

Currently, 12 SDRF personnel are stationed in Jorhat, while Sivasagar, facing a more severe situation, has a larger contingent. “Across Assam, a total of 533 SDRF personnel have been mobilized for flood response,” the official added.

Challenges Persist After Floodwaters Recede

For rescue teams, the receding floodwaters have not necessarily simplified operations.

Instead of navigating deep currents, teams now contend with shallow waterways where rescue boats often become stranded.

Additionally, breached embankments have obstructed road access, complicating the delivery of relief supplies and medical assistance to isolated villages.

"The situation is largely under control now. We are deploying medical teams and distributing the relief materials we receive. However, as the floodwaters recede, boats are getting stuck and cannot reach many affected areas. Meanwhile, vehicles are unable to access these villages due to five breached embankments. Currently, only Solmara is reachable by road," a Jorhat Fire and Emergency Services official reported.

While rescue teams continue their efforts, Civil Defence personnel remain on standby for any new emergencies.

"Our team has been stationed at the Sarupathar Circuit House for the past three days. The situation is stable at the moment, but if NEEPCO releases water, it could quickly escalate. We are on standby 24/7 and will respond immediately as directed by the district administration. Our priority is to ensure that no emergency call goes unanswered," a Civil Defence official stated.

A Comprehensive Response Beyond Rescue

Beyond the dramatic boat rescues, personnel have evacuated pregnant women, transported critically ill patients to hospitals, assisted elderly residents, and delivered food and medicines to isolated villages.

According to the latest DRIMS Assam Flood Report, 10 districts, 28 revenue circles, and 810 villages remain affected, resulting in 66 fatalities and impacting 654,838 individuals.

The report also highlights the scale of the ongoing response. A total of 274 relief camps and distribution centers are operational, providing shelter to 18,902 individuals and assisting another 123,114 people through relief distribution centers across Assam.

However, it notes that while the flood situation has improved, the Dikhou River in Sivasagar and the Dhansiri (South) at Numaligarh continue to flow above the danger level, necessitating that disaster response agencies remain vigilant.

As floodwaters gradually recede, rescue teams understand that their work is far from finished. Every rainfall, upstream water release, and distress call has the potential to create another emergency in a village.