Assam Government Reports Unprecedented Floods to Central Team
Overview of Recent Flooding in Assam
File image of flood affected areas in Assam (Photo: @himantabiswa/X)
Guwahati, July 30: The Assam administration has informed an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) that the recent flooding in districts such as Charaideo, Sivasagar, Jorhat, and Golaghat has been unprecedented, primarily due to heavy rainfall from neighboring Nagaland.
The six-member IMCT concluded its four-day assessment of the severely impacted areas on Wednesday, following a high-level review meeting with Chief Secretary Ravi Kota at Janata Bhawan in Dispur.
During this meeting, L. Sweety Changsan, the Additional Chief Secretary for Revenue and Disaster Management and CEO of the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), provided the Central team with insights into the flood causes, damage extent, and ongoing rescue operations.
The state government indicated that the flooding was unprecedented for areas like Charaideo and Sivasagar, which are not typically prone to such disasters.
Officials explained to the IMCT that the flooding was triggered by exceptionally heavy rainfall in Nagaland on July 19.
IMCT team in a high-level review meeting with Chief Secretary Ravi Kota at Janata Bhawan in Dispur. (AT Photo)
Rainfall across the state was recorded at 181% above normal levels, with Mokokchung experiencing a staggering 493% increase, Wokha at 108%, and Mon at 45%.
This excessive rainfall, along with localized heavy showers in Charaideo and Sivasagar, resulted in widespread flooding in the affected regions.
The Assam government detailed the rescue operations conducted with assistance from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Fire and Emergency Services, and local volunteers.
Relief efforts are being carried out in line with existing guidelines, with family relief kits containing essentials like rice, dal, mustard oil, salt, and candles being sent from neighboring districts to Sivasagar and Charaideo.
The government also informed the Central team that damage assessments in the four districts are ongoing, and a comprehensive flood memorandum will be submitted to the Centre after the flood season ends.
During the meeting, senior officials from various departments requested the IMCT to recommend easing the current State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) assistance norms to provide more support to flood-affected individuals.
The IMCT assured the state government that their observations from the field visit would be communicated to the Central government.
Led by M. Ramachandrudu, Joint Secretary (Disaster Management-II) from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, the team included representatives from various ministries, including Jal Shakti, Finance, Rural Development, Road Transport and Highways, and the National Remote Sensing Centre. They visited Charaideo on July 26, Sivasagar on July 27, and Jorhat and Golaghat on July 28 to evaluate damage to infrastructure, livelihoods, and public property.