Assam’s Sivasagar, Golaghat, Jorhat, Nagaon, and Charaideo districts face severe flooding as the death toll reaches 82, with 1.92 lakh individuals still impacted. Officials confirmed two fatalities on Saturday amidst ongoing relief efforts.
The flood situation has marginally improved since Thursday when over two lakh residents were affected across eight districts. Despite this, the Dikhow and Dhansiri rivers remain in a severe flood state, particularly at Sivasagar and Numaligarh, leading authorities to advise residents to stay cautiously away from the banks.
Relief measures have been initiated with around 13,000 people currently sheltered in 54 camps, while an additional 26 distribution centres cater to 5,384 recipients. The responsibilities of these operations fall to various agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).
In a proactive response, the state government plans to engage with insurance companies and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) to expedite claims processing and grant mortgage moratoriums to affected individuals.
Officials emphasize a rapid assessment of damages to ensure prompt fund allocation for necessary repairs. Tragically, two additional flood-related fatalities have been confirmed, taking the overall toll to 82.
Of the 1,92,799 individuals affected, Charaideo District emerges as the most severely impacted, with 77,456 residents affected, trailed by 63,492 in Sivasagar and 34,067 in Jorhat.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Friday that a cabinet meeting is scheduled with insurance representatives on August 5. The goal is to facilitate swift settlement of claims for damaged vehicles, livestock, and properties.
The same day, discussions with NBFCs aim to secure a moratorium extension for borrowers residing in the worst-hit districts. This initiative aligns with decisions made during a recent meeting of the State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC), which confirmed a six-month loan moratorium for flood-affected residents across four districts.
These measures target the badly affected regions of Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat, and Golaghat. In a recent update, Sarma shared on social media that more than ₹41 crore has been approved under the PM Surya Ghar scheme for flood-impacted individuals.
“As floods affect four districts of Assam, our government stands firmly with every affected family. We have approved ₹41.67 crore under the PM Surya Ghar scheme pending state subsidies for 9,289 beneficiaries,” he stated.
Sarma has also tasked the Power Department with ensuring that the Assam Power Distribution Corporation Ltd. transfers funds directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts by Tuesday, emphasizing prompt relief efforts during this challenging period.
