Assam floods: Death toll reaches 100 as over 77,000 remain in relief camps; CM Sarma orders embankment reconstruction

Incessant rains over the last few days have caused havoc across Assam, with the death toll due to the floods reaching 100 as several districts continue to reel under the impact of the deluge. More than 77,000 people remain sheltered in relief camps across the state, while rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations are underway in the affected areas.

According to the Disaster Reporting and Information Management System (DRIMS) Assam bulletin released on Sunday, the floods have heavily impacted multiple regions, resulting in the deaths of 60 males, 23 females and 18 children, including 12 boys and six girls, as per ANI.

The authorities later clarified that the death count in Sivasagar district had been revised following a correction in the reported data. One death had been mistakenly recorded twice under the same name, reducing the district's toll from 50 to 49.

"This is for kind information that Sivasagar reported 1 death twice under the same name by mistake. So the total deaths in Sivasagar will be 49 instead of 50 to date," the authorities said, as cited by ANI.

Cachar records 22 deaths amid Assam floods

Among the worst-affected districts, Cachar has recorded 22 deaths, while Sivasagar has reported 49 fatalities. Other severely affected districts include Karimganj, with nine deaths, and Golaghat, with eight casualties. Deaths have also been reported from Dhemaji, Nagaon, Udalguri, Sonitpur and Karbi Anglong.

The flood situation remains severe in several parts of Assam, with district administrations and revenue circles continuously monitoring water levels and providing assistance to people in inundated areas.

Rescue and relief operations are also underway, while authorities are working to restore essential infrastructure and services disrupted by the floods.

CM Sarma visits flood-hit Darrang

Amid the worsening situation, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday visited flood-affected areas of Darrang district and took stock of the situation following breaches in embankments along the Noa and Kulsi rivers that inundated several villages.

Sarma visited Bengabara and Naharbari under the Mangaldai Assembly constituency to assess the extent of flood damage and review relief, rehabilitation and restoration measures being undertaken by the district administration.

At Bengabara village, the Chief Minister inspected a breached portion of the embankment along the Noa River and reviewed the ongoing repair work. The breach occurred a few days ago and resulted in floodwaters entering several villages, causing hardship to residents.

Sarma directed officials to ensure that restoration work was carried out expeditiously and said the government would adopt special measures to rebuild the damaged embankments with enhanced strength to minimise the risk of future breaches.

The Chief Minister also visited relief camps set up at an under-construction Anganwadi Centre at Bengabara and at Outala Higher Secondary School. He interacted with flood-affected people staying at the camps and enquired about their well-being, food, healthcare and other essential requirements.

Sarma assured displaced families that the government would provide all necessary assistance at the earliest in accordance with established relief norms.

He later visited Naharbari, where he inspected the breached embankment along the Kulsi River and assessed the damage caused by flooding.

The Chief Minister said the recent floods had caused considerable hardship to people in the affected areas, particularly because of breaches in river embankments. He stressed the need for durable restoration measures instead of temporary repairs.

Sarma said the state government would take special steps to strengthen and reconstruct the breached embankments while ensuring that relief and rehabilitation measures reached all eligible affected families without delay.

Over 77,000 remain in relief camps

Meanwhile, Sarma said in a post on X that more than 77,000 people continue to remain sheltered in relief camps across Assam as the flood situation remains under close watch.

"More than 77,000 people continue to be sheltered in relief camps as the situation remains under close watch," Sarma said.

He added that rehabilitation and restoration efforts were being stepped up across the flood-affected areas.

The continuing presence of more than 77,000 people in relief camps highlights the scale of the humanitarian challenge facing the state, with rehabilitation emerging as a key priority alongside immediate relief operations.

Officials have been monitoring water levels of major rivers and the condition of embankments in vulnerable areas, while authorities remain alert to the possibility of further deterioration in some locations.

The government is also focussing on restoring roads, communication links and other essential infrastructure disrupted by the floods, while affected communities are being provided assistance through relief mechanisms.

Central government extends support

Amid the severe flood situation, the Central and state governments are extending support for relief, rehabilitation and medical assistance. Authorities are working to ensure that essential services and assistance reach people in the affected areas as the state gradually moves towards recovery.

The flood situation has caused widespread disruption across several districts, affecting homes, livelihoods, agriculture, livestock and public infrastructure.

Around 1.66 lakh people have been affected by the floods in 304 villages across Jorhat district, where nine casualties have been reported. The floods have also caused significant damage to agriculture and resulted in the loss of livestock.

Chhattisgarh announces Rs 5 crore aid

Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Sunday announced financial assistance of Rs 5 crore from the state government to support people affected by the floods in Assam.

The assistance will contribute to ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts for flood-affected people in the state.

Sai also spoke over the telephone with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and took stock of the flood situation.

Health and Family Welfare Minister and Darrang Guardian Minister Ashok Singhal, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Minister and local MLA Nilima Devi, MLA Paramananda Rajbongshi, Darrang District Commissioner and senior officials of the district administration and concerned departments accompanied Sarma during his visit.

Sarma said the administration would continue to closely monitor the situation and accelerate restoration and rehabilitation measures wherever required.

With a large number of people still residing in relief camps and several areas continuing to face the impact of flooding, authorities are expected to maintain enhanced preparedness until water levels recede and affected families can safely return to their homes.