Sivasagar in Assam is currently facing significant flooding, which has reportedly submerged large sections of the town. Residents have indicated that the floodwaters have caused considerable destruction to both homes and businesses, leading to shortages of essential items. The situation has been exacerbated by rising river levels, which have disrupted electricity supply.

According to local businessman Pritam Borua, nearly every part of Sivasagar has been impacted by the flooding. He noted that water has entered numerous shops, resulting in substantial losses. “The floodwaters have completely submerged Sivasagar. Not a single ward is left dry; only two wards are somewhat safe, but water has infiltrated all others,” Borua explained. He added that flooding has caused water levels in many shops to reach 2 to 3 feet, with some places experiencing depths of up to 5 feet.

Critical Food and Water Shortages

Residents are reportedly facing acute food shortages, which are particularly challenging for families with young children. One local, Deepak Kumar, described the dire circumstances many are experiencing. “We have been facing extreme difficulties since yesterday. There’s a major problem with food, especially for small children. The water hasn’t receded at all; instead, it is continuously rising,” he stated, illustrating the gravity of the situation.

Deepak Kumar also highlighted that many people have been forced to relocate to higher ground as their homes are submerged. “All our belongings are ruined,” he lamented. Residents are struggling to access basic necessities, as the water flows rapidly through the streets.

Concerns are also emerging regarding drinking water availability. Sushil Agarwal, who operates a ration shop, explained that the flooding has completely destroyed his stock, resulting in a significant loss of supplies. “My ration shop is completely flooded, with about 4 to 5 feet of water inside. We have been facing trouble even moving to and from our homes,” Agarwal noted.

Unprecedented Flooding and Community Resilience

The flooding situation has left many shop owners in distress. Taj Hussain, who runs a mobile repair business, reported severe damage to his premises. He expressed disbelief at the extent of the flooding, marking it as an unprecedented event in his decades of living in Sivasagar. “We spent so much time trying to move goods to higher shelves, but we still lost a lot,” Hussain remarked, emphasising the magnitude of the disaster.

Local resident Vinod Thakur listed Ward No. 11 as one of the most adversely affected areas, with floodwaters having inundated numerous homes. He indicated that many residents were forced to seek refuge in local temples, such as Milan Mandir and Shyam Mandir. “The water started rising yesterday and is still increasing today,” Thakur said, reflecting on his 40 years of residence without experiencing such severe flooding.

Witness accounts indicate that even those in advanced age have never witnessed the river overflowing to such an extent. The cause of this disaster has been attributed to a breach in the Desang River embankment, which has led to the flooding of Sivasagar. Community members are now focused on aiding one another as they attempt to navigate the aftermath of this natural calamity.

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