Assam’s devastating flood crisis impacts over 1.92 lakh people in Sivasagar, Golaghat, Jorhat, Nagaon, and Charaideo districts, leading to 82 confirmed fatalities as of Saturday. The situation, while improving from its peak, still requires urgent attention as the rivers continue to swell.
Officials reported a significant decline in the number of affected individuals since Thursday when over two lakh people faced the repercussions of the floods across eight districts. However, the Dikhow and Dhansiri rivers have reached severe flood stages in Sivasagar and Numaligarh in Golaghat, prompting local authorities to advise residents to stay vigilant and avoid low-lying areas.
The state has activated 54 relief camps, currently sheltering around 13,000 displaced individuals. Relief operations led by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are distributing essentials from 26 operational relief distribution centres, assisting 5,384 affected residents.
In response to the crisis, the Assam government plans to liaise with insurance companies and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) to expedite claim processing for affected individuals and provide a moratorium on repayments. This step reflects the government’s commitment to supporting the flood-impacted families in their recovery.
As of now, the confirmed death toll has tragically risen to 82, with two more deaths reported—one each from Sivasagar and Charaideo districts. Current figures indicate that Charaideo remains the most severely impacted with 77,456 residents affected, closely trailed by Sivasagar with 63,492 and Jorhat with 34,067.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma convened a cabinet meeting aimed at collaborating with both private and state insurance firms on August 5 to expedite claims settlements for damages incurred during the flood. The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of swift action to alleviate the financial burden on flood-affected families.
During discussions with the State Level Bankers’ Committee, it was determined that affected individuals from Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat, and Golaghat will receive a six-month moratorium on loan repayments. This measure is critical as families navigate recovery from the floods.
The Chief Minister also announced that over ₹41 crore had been allocated to assist flood victims under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar scheme. This support will benefit 9,289 families, as the government seeks to ensure timely disbursement of funds directly into affected individuals’ bank accounts by Tuesday.
On social media, Sarma reiterated his government’s resolve: “As floods affect four districts of Assam, our government stands firmly with every affected family. We are committed to providing necessary assistance and quick relief.”
