GUWAHATI: Assam has stepped up relief and rehabilitation efforts as floodwaters continue to affect thousands of people.The chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that around Rs 160 crore has been transferred directly to affected families, news agency ANI reported.Sarma said nearly 75,000 of the worst-hit households across four districts received the promised interim assistance of Rs 15,000 each.The payments were made along with the state subsidy under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana for eligible beneficiaries.The chief minister said the immediate financial assistance was aimed at putting money in the hands of families so they could begin rebuilding while a detailed assessment of losses is carried out.A further Rs 10,000 will be released in the coming days for severely affected families in Sivasagar and Charaideo, Sarma said.
CM promises to rebuild flood-hit villages
Sarma visited some of the worst-affected areas and described the devastation as far greater than what had been seen on television.“Devastation is beyond imagination. Whatever we have seen on television, it is more than that,” Sarma said.He assured residents that the government would extend all possible assistance and work towards rebuilding affected villages.State minister Pijush Hazarika, who accompanied the relief efforts, said the scale of destruction was substantial but expressed confidence that reconstruction would be completed quickly.“Today also flood-affected people of four districts got Rs 15,000, and after seven days they will get Rs 10,000 again,” Hazarika said.
Villagers rescue over 1,000 as floodwaters rise rapidly
One of the most striking rescue efforts came from Nepali Khuti in Sivasagar, where local residents sprang into action after floodwaters rose suddenly.Villager Sohan Chaudhary said residents abandoned their own homes to rescue people trapped in several villages, ANI reported.“We took boats out to save others. We hadn’t even realised how much water had entered our own homes,” he said.According to Chaudhary, villagers managed to rescue more than 1,000 people from around four to five villages.The rescue effort was carried out as families were caught off guard by the rapid rise in water levels.The villagers used country-made boats to ferry stranded residents to safer locations.
60,000 still affected in Sivasagar
Despite some improvement in the flood situation, the crisis remains severe in several pockets.According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), around 60,000 people across 160 villages in Sivasagar remain affected.Hundreds of residents from Nimaijan and Betbari have moved to safer locations as floodwater continues to remain inside their homes.Residents said floodwaters damaged household belongings and properties in Nimaijan.Across Assam, the overall number of affected people had fallen to around 1.78 lakh across seven districts, with 349 villages still inundated.Charaideo remained the worst-hit district, followed by Sivasagar.Nearly 15,060 hectares of crop area remained submerged, while livestock had also been affected.The state’s flood death toll stands at 82, including 42 deaths in Sivasagar, according to the latest figures cited by authorities.
Relief camps, rehabilitation efforts continue
The state has intensified relief operations as floodwaters recede in some areas but leave behind widespread damage.According to the latest assessment, 44 relief camps were sheltering around 15,000 displaced people, while 17 relief distribution centres were providing assistance to more than 5,500 others.The government has also begun focusing on agricultural rehabilitation, with community paddy nurseries and seedling distribution planned for affected farmers to help restart cultivation during the ongoing season.Sarma has also directed officials to assess damage to schools and other public infrastructure before reopening and prepare restoration plans for damaged Namghars.Meanwhile, the Centre has approved Rs 379.35 crore under the State Disaster Response Fund for Assam’s flood response.With water levels falling in some parts but thousands still displaced, the government’s focus has now shifted from immediate rescue to compensation, rebuilding homes, restoring livelihoods and addressing long-term flood and erosion risks.
