GUWAHATI — Assam’s flood situation turned dire on Tuesday as continuous torrential rains pushed water levels of major rivers above the danger mark, submerging vast stretches of land and displacing thousands across the state.
According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the disaster has now claimed 17 lives, with six more fatalities reported from Hailakandi, Sribhumi, Morigaon, Cachar, Sonitpur, and Tinsukia districts in the last 24 hours alone.
As of Tuesday night, nearly 6.5 lakh people across 21 districts remain affected, with Sribhumi bearing the brunt — recording over 2.3 lakh flood-hit residents. Nagaon and Cachar follow closely with 99,819 and 89,344 affected people, respectively. The deluge has disrupted normal life in 1,506 villages and 69 revenue circles, as rising waters inundated homes, roads, croplands, and public infrastructure.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Guwahati has forecasted more trouble ahead, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated locations. Seven rivers, including the Brahmaputra and Katakhal, have breached danger levels — the latter surpassing its highest flood mark at Matizuri in Hailakandi. The Brahmaputra is also swelling dangerously across several districts, posing a looming threat to embankments and low-lying areas.
Districts such as Dhubri, South Salmara-Mankachar, Goalpara, and Kokrajhar have been put on alert for thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds ranging between 30-40 kmph and frequent lightning strikes.
Altogether 223 relief camps have been set up across the affected districts, sheltering nearly 40,000 displaced individuals. In addition, 288 relief distribution centres are operational, supplying food, water, and essential items to flood-hit families.
Transport and communication have taken a severe hit, with road, railway, and ferry services disrupted in multiple locations. While government agencies remain engaged in rescue and relief efforts, the scale of the crisis continues to mount with the rains showing no signs of letting up.