Assam Floods: Death Toll Rises to 31 Amidst Easing Rainfall
Current Flood Situation in Assam
Residents evacuate to safer locations in flood-hit Phulpanisiga, Sivasagar district on Tuesday (Photo - PTI)
Guwahati, July 22: The recent flooding in Assam has led to a significant increase in fatalities, with the death toll now reaching 31 after 21 additional casualties were reported on Tuesday. Fortunately, the overall flood conditions are showing slight improvement as rainfall has decreased across many regions of the state.
The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) reported that the latest fatalities included 13 in Sivasagar, five in Charaideo, two in Golaghat, and one in Jorhat, bringing the total number of deaths to 31.
Despite the reduction in rainfall, over 230,000 individuals remain affected across 16 districts as of Tuesday morning. Floodwaters continue to threaten agricultural lands, with approximately 14,400 hectares of crops still submerged.
The Desang River, a key factor in the flooding crisis in Upper Assam, is currently at its highest recorded level in Sivasagar and Charaideo. As of 10 am on Tuesday, the river measured 96.60 meters, exceeding the danger threshold of 94.46 meters by 2.14 meters, although officials noted a downward trend in water levels.
Relief efforts are ongoing, with around 12,700 displaced individuals taking refuge in 52 relief camps across the affected areas. Nearly 5,000 people are currently sheltered in Sivasagar's relief camps.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has been actively involved in relief operations, utilizing Mi-17 helicopters to conduct three sorties and deliver over 600 kilograms of essential supplies to stranded families in Nazira.
The Central Water Commission (CWC) has indicated that the Brahmaputra River remains above the danger level at Neamatighat, while several other rivers, including the Buridihing at Khowang, Dikhou at Sivasagar, Desang at Nganglamuraghat, and Dhansiri at Golaghat and Numaligarh, are also at critical flood levels.
Infrastructure damage due to flooding has escalated, with six breaches reported in embankments in Jorhat over the last two days, and numerous roads have been compromised, affecting connectivity. To evaluate the damage, ASDMA has deployed drones to survey the impacted areas in Sivasagar and Jorhat.
Rail services continue to experience disruptions, with train operations between the Simaluguri-Namtiali and Simaluguri-Selenghat routes suspended due to flood-related damage.
The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has announced that several long-distance trains to and from Dibrugarh and Tinsukia have been rerouted via the Rangiya-Rangapara-Dibrugarh line. Some trains have been either short-terminated or cancelled, while additional special trains are being operated to alleviate inconvenience, continuing until next Friday. Regular express services between Mariani and Guwahati are also being maintained.
Meanwhile, rainfall has subsided in eastern Assam since Monday, although central and western regions have experienced heavy showers in the last 24 hours. Kampur recorded 80 mm, Chirang and Hojai 70 mm each, Hajo 60 mm, and Matijuri 50 mm of rainfall.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted no significant rainfall in the next two to three days, raising hopes for a gradual improvement in the flood situation throughout the state.