The flood crisis in Assam has worsened, with reports indicating that five additional individuals, comprising three males and two children, have died in the last twenty-four hours. This brings the total number of fatalities to ten, as confirmed by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) on July 20. The ongoing deluge has impacted approximately 3.63 lakh residents across sixteen districts.

The ASDMA report highlighted that four of the deceased, including two children, were from Jorhat district, while one fatality was reported from Karbi Anglong district. Additionally, two individuals, including a child, remain missing after drowning in the flood waters, with the incidents occurring in Charaideo and Karbi Anglong districts.

Current statistics reveal that a staggering 362,933 individuals across the sixteen impacted districts—namely Jorhat, Charaideo, Sonitpur, Dibrugarh, Chirang, Udalguri, Biswanath, Golaghat, Cachar, Dhemaji, Tinsukia, Nagaon, Karbi Anglong, Kamrup, Kamrup (M), and Sivasagar—have been affected by these floods. This situation has led to the inundation of 794 villages across 45 revenue circles.

Crop Damage and Ongoing Evacuations

As a result of the floods, approximately 19,100 hectares of agricultural land are under water, raising significant concerns about food security in the region. The ASDMA report pointed out that Sivasagar district is the most severely impacted, with around 1.57 lakh people affected. This is followed by Charaideo, with approximately 1.04 lakh individuals affected, and Jorhat, where about 50,987 residents are facing hardships due to flooding.

Further reports detail that nearly 45,000 individuals have taken refuge in the 101 relief camps set up by the district administration in flood-affected regions. The areas set up as relief distribution centres are crucial in supporting those who have lost their homes to the rising waters.

The report also revealed that around 3.89 lakh livestock have also been adversely affected due to the floods, exacerbating the challenges faced by local communities reliant on agriculture and animal husbandry.

Government and Emergency Response Actions

In response to the crisis, the Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and other emergency services are actively engaged in rescue operations across the flood-stricken areas. On July 20, these teams reportedly evacuated nearly 7,000 individuals, underscoring the urgency of the situation.

In the last twenty-four hours, significant damage to infrastructure has also been reported, with 29 roads affected and six embankments breached. The water levels of the Brahmaputra river and its tributaries have risen alarmingly due to continuous rainfall in Assam and neighbouring states, resulting in some rivers flowing above the danger mark.

Following directives from Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, a number of cabinet ministers visited the affected regions on July 20 to assess the situation. Their visit aims to ensure that adequate assistance is provided to the individuals and communities battling the devastating effects of the floods.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share