Assam’s flood crisis worsened this week as the death toll rose to 82, with over 1.92 lakh people directly impacted by the floods. The latest fatalities occurred in Sivasagar and Charaideo districts, prompting local officials to intensify relief efforts across the state.
As of Saturday, the number of individuals affected decreased from over two lakh earlier in the week, reflecting an improving yet dire situation across five districts—Sivasagar, Golaghat, Jorhat, Nagaon, and Charaideo.
The situation remains critical in areas along the Dikhow and Dhansiri rivers, where authorities have warned residents to stay away due to severe flooding. With approximately 13,000 people seeking refuge in 54 relief camps, relief agencies are working tirelessly to aid those in need.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), alongside local NGOs, are conducting ongoing rescue and distribution operations to help the victims. They have set up 26 relief distribution centers serving over 5,384 individuals.
As part of the response strategy, the state government plans to engage with insurance providers and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) for swift processing of claims and a moratorium for affected customers. This decision follows a dedicated strategy to ensure that those suffering can receive help rapidly and efficiently.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that a meeting with private and government insurance representatives is scheduled for August 5 to expedite the settlement of claims for damaged properties.
“These efforts are aimed at alleviating the financial burden on flood victims, especially regarding damaged vehicles and livestock,” Sarma stated.
Further addressing the situation, a special session of the State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC) yielded a decision to offer a six-month moratorium on loan repayments for residents in the worst-hit districts of Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat, and Golaghat.
The chief minister reassured residents, stating, “Our government stands firmly with every affected family during this crisis. We have allocated over ₹41 crore under the PM Surya Ghar scheme to assist those impacted.”
In his social media address, Sarma detailed that the funds would be directed to support approximately 9,289 beneficiaries, enhancing recovery efforts in the flood-impacted regions.
To ensure rapid delivery of assistance, Sarma has instructed the Power Department to oversee that the Assam Power Distribution Corporation Limited transfers the approved financial aid directly to households’ bank accounts by Tuesday.
This proactive approach underscores the government’s commitment to restoring the lives of the people devastated by the floods and highlights the ongoing efforts to rehabilitate the affected families.
As recovery mechanisms are put in place, Assam’s resilience continues to shine through as communities come together to navigate these challenging times.
