Guwahati: Their homes lay in ruins, but their spirit endured as Hiloni Nepali Khuti residents gathered to celebrate India’s 80th Independence Day.The July 19 floods submerged homes in mud and claimed lives and livestock in the Sivasagar district village, leaving about 500 families marooned. Emerging from relief camps and makeshift shelters on Saturday, residents cleared a patch of devastated land and hoisted the Tricolour.Gorkha Development Council chairperson Prem Tamang said the council was supporting relief and rehabilitation efforts in the village.“A devastating flood hit Assam, and Nazira’s Nepali Khuti village suffered the most. More than 1,000 livestock died. Around 200 concrete houses were washed away. Since July 25, the Gorkha Development Council has been working to boost the morale of the Gorkhas living here and stand with them in this hour of grief. Before rebuilding the houses, we set up temporary camps,” he said.Tamang said the local MLA helped make the arrangements.“The situation is better now. Houses are being rebuilt. Looking at this, the people said that bad times will come and go, but we have to celebrate the 80th Independence Day together. We arranged ‘kheer’ for the people,” Tamang added.According to Assam’s Disaster Reporting and Information Management System bulletin issued on Aug 9, the floods claimed 101 lives – 60 men, 23 women and 18 children (12 boys and six girls).Authorities revised Sivasagar’s toll from 50 to 49 after finding that one death was recorded twice. Cachar reported 22 deaths, Karimganj nine and Golaghat eight. Fatalities were also reported in Dhemaji, Nagaon, Udalguri, Sonitpur and Karbi Anglong.The flood situation remains critical in several parts of Assam, with rescue and relief operations continuing as district administrations and revenue authorities monitor water levels and assist affected communities. Centre and state govt are also providing relief, rehabilitation and medical support, while efforts are underway to restore essential services and help affected areas recover.
