Assam’s flood crisis deepened as officials confirmed 82 fatalities and 1.92 lakh individuals affected across Sivasagar, Golaghat, Jorhat, Nagaon, and Charaideo districts on Saturday. Although improvements occurred since Thursday’s peak, the disaster’s impact remains severe.
According to officials, the floods have caused substantial disruption, particularly in Charaideo, where 77,456 residents struggle with the aftermath. Sivasagar follows with 63,492 affected, while Jorhat records 34,067 people impacted.
Despite the situation seeing some improvements, critically high water levels persist in the Dikhow and Dhansiri rivers, prompting authorities to caution residents in Sivasagar and Numaligarh.
Relief measures are underway, with around 13,000 individuals currently housed in 54 relief camps. In addition, 26 distribution centres cater to 5,384 people, providing emergency supplies. Multiple agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), actively participate in the ongoing relief operations.
The Assam state government is intensifying efforts to consult with insurance providers and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) for faster claim settlements. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced plans for a meeting with these companies on August 5 to discuss expediting claims for vehicles, livestock, and properties impacted by the floods.
This initiative coincides with a commitment to offer a six-month moratorium on loans to flood-affected borrowers across the severely impacted districts. The cabinet’s decision aims to assist families coping with the extensive damages.
Amid these ongoing challenges, the chief minister highlighted that over ₹41 crore has been sanctioned under the PM Surya Ghar scheme, designed to support those suffering due to the floods. Sarma reaffirmed the government’s dedication to supporting affected families.
“As floods affect four districts of Assam, our government stands firmly with every affected family,” he stated in a social media post. “We have approved ₹41.67 crore under the PM Surya Ghar scheme for 9,289 beneficiaries in the affected areas.”
In the aftermath of these devastating floods, the Power Department has received directives to ensure that funding is transferred directly to the beneficiaries’ bank accounts by Tuesday, facilitating immediate assistance.
