Severe Flooding in Assam Claims Lives and Displaces Thousands
Flood Crisis in Sivasagar
The 149th Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force has safely relocated approximately 55 people in Sivasagar on Monday. (Photo:@149_bn/X)
Guwahati, July 21: The death toll from the floods in Assam has tragically reached 11, following the drowning of a man in Sivasagar district while he was trying to fetch drinking water. The relentless flooding has led local MLA and Raijor Dal leader Akhil Gogoi to label the situation as an "unprecedented natural disaster."
The latest casualty, Amlan Gogoi from Betbari village, was swept away by the floodwaters and later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
As reported by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), over 310,000 individuals are currently affected by the floods across 11 districts, with Sivasagar being the hardest hit, accounting for nearly 158,000 of those impacted.
The Dikhow River is flowing above the extreme flood level, exacerbating the crisis in the district.
As floodwaters continue to spread into new areas, Akhil Gogoi has actively participated in rescue efforts, visiting inundated villages by boat and engaging with affected residents.
Gogoi emphasized that this crisis is unlike the usual seasonal floods, noting that water from neighboring Charaideo and Nazira is contributing to the rising levels in Sivasagar via the Dorika and Disang rivers.
He stated, "The situation in Sivasagar is deteriorating rapidly as water from neighboring Charaideo and Nazira is flowing into the district through the Dorika and Disang rivers, inundating fresh villages."
The Sivasagar MLA pointed out that a breach in an embankment along the Dorika River has significantly worsened the flooding.
"Last year, I raised the embankment on the upper stretch of the Dorika River by nearly one to two meters. However, this year, the floodwaters have overtopped it, leading to extensive flooding across the region. The embankment could not withstand the water pressure, and as a result, entire villages have gone under water," he explained.
Many families are now abandoning their homes and moving towards Sivasagar town with only their essential belongings, as they are unable to use their vehicles or even leave their houses.
Gogoi stressed that this should not be regarded as just another annual flood, but rather an extraordinary natural disaster that requires a robust response.
He has called on Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to enhance rescue and relief operations immediately, requesting additional boats from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
"Rescue operations must be intensified without delay. I have heard that the Chief Minister is likely to visit the affected areas, and I appeal to him to come to Dorikapar and witness the ground reality firsthand," he urged.
Gogoi is also advocating for increased compensation for families affected by the floods, arguing that the devastation is far greater than what is typically caused by monsoon floods.
"Thousands of families have lost their homes, farms, livestock, and livelihoods. The standard flood relief assistance of Rs 6,000 to Rs 12,000 will not be sufficient this time," he stated.
As per the latest reports, over 310,800 people remain affected across 758 villages in districts including Biswanath, Charaideo, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Golaghat, Jorhat, Kamrup, Karbi Anglong, Nagaon, Sivasagar, and Tinsukia.