The flood situation in Assam remained critical on Saturday as the death toll rose to 61 after 14 more people lost their lives in the past 24 hours. Even as rescue and relief operations continue across the affected districts, the Centre has announced that a high-level team will visit the state to assess the extent of the damage and coordinate assistance for relief and rehabilitation efforts.
According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the fresh fatalities were reported from Charaideo, Sivasagar, and Jorhat districts. More than 7.05 lakh people remain affected by the floods, with large areas still submerged despite water levels receding in some regions.
Death Toll Climbs to 61
ASDMA said 14 people died in flood-related incidents over the last 24 hours, taking this year’s flood death toll in Assam to 61.
Of the latest fatalities, seven were reported from Charaideo district, six from Sivasagar, and one from Jorhat. Officials also confirmed that one person remains missing in Sivasagar. The deceased include 11 men and three women.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation as rivers flowing above the danger mark pose a risk of further inundation in vulnerable areas.
Over Seven Lakh People Affected
The floods have impacted more than 7.05 lakh people across multiple districts, disrupting normal life and damaging homes, roads, bridges, and agricultural land.
Sivasagar remains the worst-hit district, with nearly 3.5 lakh people affected, followed by Charaideo and Jorhat. Hundreds of villages remain submerged, while thousands of hectares of cropland have been damaged by floodwaters.
Officials said the administration is continuing to assess losses as the water slowly recedes in certain areas.
Relief Operations Continue
State authorities, along with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police personnel, and local volunteers, are carrying out rescue and relief operations in flood-affected areas.
More than 3.15 lakh people have taken shelter in relief camps and distribution centres established across the state. Relief teams are supplying food, drinking water, medicines, and other essential items to displaced families.
However, officials acknowledged that relief materials have not yet reached some remote and inaccessible areas due to damaged roads, heavy silt deposits, and continuing waterlogging.
Centre to Send High-Level Assessment Team
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced that the Centre will dispatch a high-level team to Assam to assess the damage caused by the floods.
The team will evaluate the impact on infrastructure, agriculture, public property, and livelihoods before recommending additional financial and logistical assistance from the Central government.
Sonowal assured that both the Centre and the Assam government are working in close coordination to provide relief and expedite rehabilitation efforts for affected communities.
Government Intensifies Response
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has been reviewing the flood situation regularly and coordinating relief operations with district administrations.
The state government has prioritised rescue efforts, restoration of essential services, and rehabilitation of displaced families while ensuring uninterrupted distribution of relief materials.
Officials are also closely monitoring river levels and weather forecasts to respond quickly if conditions worsen in any district.
Agriculture and Infrastructure Suffer Heavy Losses
Apart from the human toll, the floods have caused extensive damage to agriculture, livestock, roads, bridges, schools, and public infrastructure.
More than 56,000 hectares of agricultural land remain submerged, affecting farmers during the crucial cultivation season. Thousands of animals and poultry have also been lost in the floods, adding to the economic burden on rural households.
Officials said a detailed damage assessment will be undertaken once floodwaters recede completely.
Challenges in Remote Areas
Several flood-hit villages continue to face difficulties due to disrupted road connectivity and communication networks.
Rescue personnel are using boats to evacuate stranded residents and deliver relief supplies, while helicopters have been deployed in certain inaccessible locations.
Authorities admitted that reaching every affected family remains a challenge because of the scale of the disaster and difficult terrain.
Focus on Relief and Rehabilitation
With the flood death toll reaching 61 and more than seven lakh people affected, Assam continues to battle one of its most severe flood disasters in recent years.
While rescue operations remain the immediate priority, the Centre’s decision to send a high-level assessment team is expected to accelerate the process of evaluating losses and extending financial assistance for recovery. As floodwaters gradually recede in some areas, the focus is likely to shift toward rebuilding damaged infrastructure, restoring livelihoods, and supporting thousands of displaced families struggling to return to normal life.