Assam Floods: Death Toll Rises as Heavy Rainfall Continues
Flooding Crisis in Assam
Guwahati/Rangia/Jorhat/Tinsukia, June 2: The death toll in Assam due to floods and landslides has increased to 10, with two additional fatalities reported. As of Sunday evening, over four lakh individuals are affected across more than 20 districts.
According to the latest update from the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), one death each occurred in Cachar and Sribhumi districts within the last 24 hours.
The report indicates that 364,046 people in 56 revenue circles and 764 villages across 19 districts are currently suffering from flooding. Cachar is the most severely impacted district, with 103,790 individuals affected, followed by Sribhumi with 83,621 and Nagaon with 62,700.
Approximately 3,524.38 hectares of agricultural land have been submerged, and 696 livestock have been lost, as per ASDMA's findings.
Currently, 52 relief camps have been established, accommodating 10,272 individuals, while an additional 103 relief distribution centers are operational. Urban flooding has been reported in four districts, impacting over 41,000 residents, and four districts remain at risk of landslides.
Several rivers, including the Brahmaputra in Dibrugarh and Neamatighat, are flowing above the danger level, along with the Dhansiri in Numaligarh, Kopili in Kampur, Katakhal in Matizuri, Barak in Badarpur Ghat, and Kushiyara in Sribhumi.
Multiple agencies are actively involved in rescue and relief operations, utilizing boats and even an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter to assist stranded individuals, according to the bulletin.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has warned that conditions may deteriorate for those residing in low-lying and riverbank areas due to ongoing heavy rainfall in Assam and neighboring regions.
On June 1, Union Home Minister Amit Shah contacted the Chief Minister to assess the situation and offered all necessary support. Sarma updated Shah on the state's readiness and urged residents in at-risk areas to stay alert.
"I have informed him about the actions being taken, and we appreciate his concern and assistance," Sarma shared on social media.
“Assam is currently experiencing significant rainfall, with 42 cm recorded in Silchar, 35 cm in Karimganj, and 30 cm in Hailakandi, among other areas. Residents in low-lying and riverbank regions are advised to remain vigilant and heed local advisories. Stay safe and prepared,” he added.
Meanwhile, road, rail, and ferry services have been disrupted in various parts of the state due to the relentless rain.
A spokesperson for the Northeast Frontier Railway reported that four trains have been canceled and one has been short-terminated/originated due to floodwaters covering tracks on the Baraigram–Dullabcherra route.
The Dullabcherra–Silchar, Silchar–Dullabcherra, and Badarpur–Dullabcherra–Badarpur passenger trains will remain canceled for two days.
The Guwahati–Dullabcherra–Guwahati train will be short-terminated and short-originated at/from Baraigram, with services between Baraigram and Dullabcherra suspended until Tuesday.
On May 30, the Chief Minister stated that the state is facing an unprecedented situation due to continuous rainfall caused by extensive cloud cover over large areas of the Northeast.