As Assam grapples with devastating floods, the state reports 82 fatalities and 1.92 lakh people affected across several districts. The latest updates on Saturday indicate that the worst-hit regions include Sivasagar, Golaghat, Jorhat, Nagaon, and Charaideo.
The flood situation showed signs of improvement since Thursday when it peaked, impacting more than two lakh residents in eight districts. However, significant risk remains as the Dikhow and Dhansiri rivers continue to flow dangerously high in Sivasagar and Numaligarh areas of Golaghat.
Authorities are now urging residents near these rivers to exercise utmost caution and stay away from flood-prone areas. Currently, around 13,000 individuals find shelter in 54 relief camps, with another 26 relief distribution centres established, aiding 5,384 people.
Multiple agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), are actively involved in ongoing relief operations, highlighting the concerted effort to stabilize the situation.
In light of this ongoing crisis, the Assam government has taken proactive steps by engaging insurance companies and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) to expedite claims’ processing. The authorities will also ensure that affected families receive a moratorium on their loans as part of the relief measures, particularly targeting those from the hardest-hit districts.
As announced by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, a meeting with insurance firms is set for August 5, aimed to encourage swift settlement of claims related to insured properties, including vehicles and livestock.
Sarma emphasized the significance of quick damage assessments to ensure timely funds for repairs. He confirmed that over ₹41 crore has been approved under the PM Surya Ghar scheme for 9,289 beneficiaries affected by the floods.
“As floods affect four districts of Assam,” Sarma noted, “our government stands firmly with every affected family. We are committed to delivering necessary assistance and have ensured that the Power Department transfers relief funds directly to beneficiaries’ accounts promptly.”
Charaideo stands out as the worst-hit area, with 77,456 individuals impacted, while Sivasagar follows with 63,492 affected and Jorhat with 34,067. The government has prioritized relief and assistance for these districts.
The efforts include significant coordination among banking institutions to provide affected citizens a six-month moratorium on loan repayments amidst the devastation. These initiatives underscore the administration’s focus on providing comprehensive support to those in distress during this challenging time.
While the immediate situation shows slight improvement, the challenges ahead remain steep. Continuous monitoring and support from both governmental and non-governmental organizations will be crucial as Assam navigates through this crisis.