NEW DELHI: The flood situation in Assam continues to be grim, with the number of inundated districts increasing to 26, and major rivers flowing above the danger mark in multiple locations. Despite a slight decrease in the affected population to below 14 lakh, the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) bulletin reports widespread suffering and damage.
As of Thursday, 13,99,949 people remain affected by the floods, down from 14,38,900 on Wednesday. The most severely impacted districts include Cachar, Barpeta, Kamrup, Nagaon, Dhubri, Darrang, Biswanath, Golaghat, Goalpara, Hailakandi, Sivsagar, Dibrugarh, Morigaon, Tinsukia, and Nalbari. Additionally, Dhemaji, South Salmara, Lakhimpur, Karimganj, Charaideo, Bongaigaon, Kokrajhar, Jorhat, Kamrup Metropolitan, Majuli, and Chirang districts are also struggling with floodwaters.
The affected population spans 83 revenue circles and 2,545 villages. Dhubri remains the worst-hit district with 2,41,186 people affected, followed by Cachar with 1,60,889 and Darrang with 1,08,125.
In a significant relief effort, 100 people from Dhubri were evacuated to safer locations by the State Disaster Response Force and local administration, using 33 boats deployed across the state. Despite these efforts, the toll from this year’s floods, storms, and lightning stands at 99, with 83 fatalities due to the deluge. The ASDMA revised the flood toll figure from 84, attributing the change to a previous misclassification.
Rivers continue to pose a major threat, with the Brahmaputra flowing above the danger level at Nematighat, Tezpur, and Dhubri, and the Burhidihing exceeding safe levels at Khowang, Disang in Nanglamuraghat, and Kushiyara in Karimganj. Additionally, 39,133.57 hectares of cropland have been submerged, exacerbating the crisis.
At least 41,596 displaced people are currently taking shelter in 189 relief camps, while another 110 relief distribution centers are catering to 72,847 individuals. The livestock sector has also suffered, with 221 animals and poultry reported washed away in the last 24 hours and another 9,86,253 animals affected.
Damage to infrastructure, including houses, bridges, roads, and embankments, has been reported from various districts, adding to the challenges faced by the state in managing the crisis.