The death toll from the recent floods in Assam has risen to 75, with seven additional fatalities reported on July 28. In response, the Himanta Biswa Sarma administration has revealed new relief measures to support the affected families, including a significant rise in compensation for the families of deceased or missing individuals to Rs 9 lakh. This decision aims to provide immediate financial assistance amid the ongoing crisis.

According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), all reported fatalities occurred in the Nazira revenue circle of Sivasagar district. While the death toll has surged, the overall flood conditions are reportedly improving, with the number of affected individuals decreasing from 4.45 lakh to 3.32 lakh across seven districts within a day.

The deluge continues to impact several areas, including Sivasagar, Charaideo, Golaghat, Jorhat, Nagaon, Sonitpur, and Kamrup Metropolitan. A total of 622 villages are inundated across 21 revenue circles, with Charaideo being the most severely affected district, where 1,42,756 individuals are currently displaced.

Ex Gratia Norms Relaxed For Affected Families

During a Facebook Live broadcast, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the government has streamlined the process for disbursing ex gratia payments to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives in the floods. He stated that families will no longer need to provide a post-mortem report; instead, a certificate from the relevant circle officer will suffice for claiming compensation.

The government has allocated an additional Rs 5 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, augmenting the existing Rs 4 lakh ex gratia, thus bringing the total compensation to Rs 9 lakh for the families of those who died. This amount will also extend to the families of missing individuals if their bodies are not recovered within a month.

Furthermore, the administration has introduced interim financial aid of Rs 15,000 for approximately one lakh families in the four districts most affected—Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat, and Golaghat. This fund aims to cover immediate household expenses and will be directly transferred to the beneficiaries’ bank accounts.

Continuing Relief Efforts Amid Ongoing Rescues

Relief and rescue operations are persistently ongoing in the affected areas, with collaboration from the Army, Air Force, National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, and various civil volunteer groups. Currently, 81 relief camps are sheltering 32,477 displaced persons, and an additional 34 relief distribution centres remain operational to assist those in need.

The ASDMA has reported that 45,341.98 hectares of agricultural land remain submerged. Furthermore, rivers in the region, such as the Dhansiri (South), are flowing above dangerous levels, particularly at Numaligarh in Golaghat district. This situation has led to damage to numerous homes, schools, anganwadi centres, and livestock across different districts.

On August 3, a comprehensive assessment of the damage to infrastructure, crops, fisheries, and livestock is scheduled to commence. Following this evaluation, eligible families will receive compensation as deemed necessary. The Chief Minister confirmed that more than Rs 26 crore has been raised in the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund since the onset of this wave of floods, including Rs 60 lakh from micro-donations by 4,610 individuals.

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