The flood death toll in Assam has risen to 89 this year after two more people lost their lives in flood-related incidents in the past 24 hours, even as the overall flood situation showed signs of gradual improvement.
According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the latest fatalities were reported from Sivasagar and Golaghat districts. One of the victims was a young boy who drowned in floodwaters.
Despite a decline in the number of affected people, more than 1.22 lakh residents continue to face the impact of the floods across Charaideo, Dhemaji, Golaghat, Jorhat and Sivasagar districts. The figure has come down from over 1.28 lakh people affected across six districts a day earlier, indicating that floodwaters have started receding in some areas.
Sivasagar remains the worst-affected district, with nearly 60,000 people impacted by the floods. Charaideo follows with around 31,000 affected residents, while Jorhat has reported nearly 20,000 people affected.
Relief and rescue operations are continuing across the state. Authorities are operating 55 relief camps and distribution centres in four districts, where 17,857 people are either taking shelter or receiving relief assistance.
The floods have inundated 365 villages and damaged more than 15,342 hectares of agricultural land. In addition, over 26,500 livestock and poultry have been affected. Roads, bridges, embankments and other public infrastructure have also suffered extensive damage in several districts.
The Dhansiri River continued to flow above the danger level at Numaligarh, keeping authorities on alert.
Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, who visited flood-affected areas and a relief camp in Sivasagar, said experts from premier institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), would be asked to examine whether mining activities in neighbouring Nagaland contributed to the large-scale flooding in parts of Upper Assam.
The move comes after opposition parties and several social organisations alleged that illegal mining in the border hills of Nagaland had led to the formation of artificial reservoirs, which released large volumes of water downstream during heavy rainfall.
The Chief Minister said Assam does not have the authority to stop mining activities in Nagaland and that the issue would be raised with the Central Government.
The state government has also announced that door-to-door damage assessments will begin on August 9 to evaluate losses suffered by affected families. Compensation will be disbursed after the assessment process is completed.
Meanwhile, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda is scheduled to visit flood-affected areas in Upper Assam on Wednesday to review the relief and rehabilitation efforts.
