Assam Floods: Over 16.25 Lakh Affected, 46 Lives Lost in Severe Crisis

Assam is currently reeling under a devastating flood crisis that has tragically claimed the lives of 46 individuals, with eight fatalities reported in the last 24 hours alone. The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) has declared the situation as critical, with more than 16.25 lakh people affected across 29 districts in what marks the second wave of floods to hit the state.

Impact on Worst-Hit Districts

Dhubri emerges as the worst-affected district, where 2,23,210 residents are grappling with the aftermath of the floods. Following closely are Darrang and Lakhimpur, with 1,83,738 and 1,66,063 affected individuals respectively. The floods have submerged 2800 villages spread across 105 revenue circles, prompting 3.86 lakh people to seek shelter in 515 relief camps and distribution centers.

Intensive Rescue and Relief Operations

Multiple agencies including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Indian Army, and others are tirelessly conducting rescue operations. Over the past 24 hours, 8,377 people have been successfully evacuated from flood-affected areas, underscoring the concerted effort to mitigate the crisis.

Infrastructure and Livestock Devastation

The floodwaters have wreaked havoc on Assam’s infrastructure, resulting in the destruction of 100 roads, 14 bridges, and breaches in 11 embankments statewide. Moreover, the disaster has severely affected 11,20,165 animals, exacerbating the extensive devastation across the region.

Rivers Pose Continued Threat

Major rivers such as the Brahmaputra and its tributaries remain perilously above the danger mark in several districts including Dhubri, Tezpur, Guwahati, and Goalpara. This ongoing rise in water levels continues to escalate the challenges faced by local residents.

Uphill Battle Ahead

With floodwaters showing no signs of abating and additional areas falling prey to inundation, Assam confronts formidable hurdles in executing effective rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts. Authorities remain steadfast in their commitment to providing critical assistance and support to those affected by this calamity.

As the crisis unfolds, the collective response from various agencies remains pivotal in navigating the humanitarian challenges unfolding across Assam.