Severe Flooding in Jorhat District: Death Toll Rises Amidst Crisis
Flood Situation Escalates in Jorhat
Significant flooding in various localities and villages of Jorhat district
Jorhat, July 21: The flood crisis in Assam's Jorhat district has worsened, with the death toll reaching five and one individual still unaccounted for. Thousands of residents are stranded without essential services during one of the most severe flood events in recent history.
Heavy rainfall has led to the Bhogdoi River overflowing, inundating numerous villages, farmland, and residential areas.
Tragically, a child has reportedly lost their life in the floods, contributing to the rising death toll in Jorhat.
Search efforts are ongoing for Pabitra Nayak, who was swept away by strong currents in the Selenghat region.
Local accounts indicate that Pabitra Nayak and another individual, Deba Nayak, attempted to navigate through the floodwaters when the incident occurred.
"Almost every locality, including Jaji and Teok, is submerged. In Selenghat, Pabitra Nayak was carried away by the current. Deba Nayak managed to cross safely, but Pabitra is still missing. Local youths have been searching for him, but the high water levels and strong currents have made rescue efforts extremely challenging," a local resident shared.
The Jorhat district administration reports that the floods have impacted 162 villages and affected 50,987 individuals, with 4,443 hectares of agricultural land submerged.
As the situation escalates, survivors recount harrowing experiences of losing everything, including personal belongings, vital documents, and medications.
Among those severely affected are pregnant women, children, and the elderly, many of whom have been forced to endure days and nights outdoors with limited access to aid.
A pregnant woman, now taking refuge on an embankment after her home was destroyed, expressed her despair, stating she lost all her possessions, including medical records.
"We have lost everything. The flood has taken it all. We haven't received any assistance and are now living in a temporary shelter on the embankment. I am four months pregnant, and all my medical documents, medications, and belongings have been washed away. We urgently need help," she said.
Residents are facing a critical shortage of clean drinking water, with many relying on whatever food they could salvage before the floodwaters invaded their homes.
"We have never experienced floods of this scale in recent years. The water has taken everything from us. We are uncertain about how to rebuild our lives," another resident lamented.
The deteriorating conditions in Jorhat are part of a broader flood emergency affecting upper Assam, where Sivasagar and Charaideo have also experienced severe flooding due to a cloudburst in the upstream area.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma noted that the three districts are facing water levels not seen in over fifty years.
"Sivasagar, Jorhat, and Charaideo districts are experiencing unprecedented flooding following the upstream cloudburst, with water levels unseen in over half a century. We urge all affected families to cooperate with authorities and relocate to safer areas when advised," Sarma stated in a social media post.
He further mentioned that the sudden rise in water levels has caused significant damage to flood-control infrastructure, resulting in eight breaches of embankments in the Jorhat area.
"Due to exceptionally high flood discharge and hydraulic stress from the cloudburst, eight breaches have occurred in the embankments in the Jorhat region. Immediate temporary measures, including bamboo bandalling, bamboo palisading, and emergency protection works using EC bags, have been initiated," he explained.
As the humanitarian crisis deepens and vast areas of the district remain submerged, the Chief Minister plans to visit Jorhat, Sivasagar, and Charaideo on Wednesday to evaluate the flood damage and oversee ongoing relief, rescue, and flood protection efforts.