Guwahati, July 2: The flood situation in Assam deteriorated further on Wednesday, July 1, with close to 50,000 people affected across four districts, while the Central Government assured comprehensive assistance for relief, rehabilitation and rebuilding in the flood-ravaged state.
According to the latest bulletin issued by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), floods have impacted around 48,500 people in Biswanath, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh and Nalbari districts. Dhemaji continues to bear the brunt of the deluge, accounting for more than 44,000 affected residents. Dibrugarh has reported nearly 4,000 people affected, while around 500 people have been impacted in Biswanath. The state’s flood-related death toll this year remains at one.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, accompanied by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, visited flood-hit areas in Dhemaji district, where they conducted an aerial inspection of the affected regions and reviewed the situation with Assam ministers and senior officials.
After interacting with affected families and assessing ongoing relief operations, Chouhan said the extent of the destruction was severe, with widespread damage to houses, roads, electricity infrastructure, agricultural fields and livestock. He stressed that restoring normal life and rebuilding affected communities would remain the immediate priority.
Reiterating the Centre’s support, the Union minister said the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi stands firmly with the people of Assam and will provide all necessary assistance for relief, recovery and reconstruction.
Later, while addressing a press conference in Guwahati, Chouhan said an interim assessment of the flood damage would be submitted to the Prime Minister, while a comprehensive survey is being undertaken to determine the full extent of losses. He noted that extensive damage had been caused to homes, roads, power infrastructure, paddy fields and livestock, all of which would be evaluated in detail.
The minister also commended the Assam government’s prompt response to the disaster, stating that timely rescue operations had helped save numerous lives. He said relief activities are currently being funded through the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), while adequate financial support from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) would be extended to both Assam and neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh.
The ASDMA reported that 13 relief camps and relief distribution centres are functioning across two districts, providing shelter to 153 displaced people. Rescue personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have rescued 713 people from various flood-affected locations in Dhemaji district.
During the past 24 hours, relief agencies distributed 290.95 quintals of rice, 51.23 quintals of pulses, 15.35 quintals of salt and 1,535.49 litres of mustard oil among affected families. Authorities said 179 villages remain inundated, while floods have damaged 2,117.34 hectares of agricultural land. Embankments, roads, bridges and other public infrastructure have also suffered damage in several districts.
The Brahmaputra River continues to flow above the danger level at Neamatighat, while the floods have affected more than 82,883 domestic animals and poultry across the state.
Chouhan further cautioned that the expected impact of El Niño could create additional challenges for Assam this year. Referring to weather forecasts, he said nearly 12 districts may experience adverse conditions, underlining the need for both immediate response measures and long-term disaster preparedness.
