Severe Flooding in Assam: Over 6.6 Lakh Affected as Sivasagar and Charaideo Face Crisis
Flood Crisis in Assam
Residents evacuate to safer areas in flood-hit Phulpanisiga, Sivasagar district on Tuesday (Photo - PTI)
Guwahati, July 24: The districts of Sivasagar and Charaideo are currently facing the brunt of Assam's flood crisis, with over 663,000 individuals affected and many still isolated from aid, as reported by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday.
During a press briefing at Lok Sewa Bhawan, following a meeting with officials to assess flood response efforts, the Chief Minister revealed that Sivasagar alone has seen 530,000 people impacted across five revenue circles and 333 villages, marking it as the district with the highest number of flood victims and fatalities in Assam.
In Charaideo, the situation is similarly dire, with 133,159 individuals affected across three revenue circles and 51 villages.
The Chief Minister confirmed that the death toll in these two districts has reached 31, although this figure may rise as more information comes in from the affected regions.
"These numbers are based on the latest reports we have. The count of fatalities and missing persons may increase as further updates are received by the administration," he stated.
Overall, Sarma indicated that more than 1.063 million people across 25 districts have been impacted by the floods, affecting 77 revenue circles and 2,023 villages, with 28,912 individuals forced to evacuate their residences.
The state government is currently managing 162 relief camps, providing shelter to 41,264 individuals, and operating 1,072 relief distribution centers in the impacted areas.
Official reports indicate that 21 fatalities have occurred in Sivasagar, 10 in Charaideo, eight in Jorhat, three in Dhemaji, two each in Golaghat and Karbi Anglong, and one in Sonitpur.
Additionally, eight individuals are reported missing across Assam, including six from Sivasagar, one from Dhemaji, and one from Charaideo.
The floods have wreaked havoc on homes and livelihoods, with 401 houses completely destroyed and 1,856 partially damaged. Many families have lost crops, livestock, fisheries, poultry, personal belongings, and vital documents, including school certificates.
"A comprehensive damage assessment will be conducted once the relief phase concludes to facilitate systematic planning for compensation and rehabilitation," Sarma noted.
An inter-ministerial central team is set to arrive in Assam on July 25 to evaluate the extent of the damage and determine the state's needs for Central assistance in relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts.