Golaghat/Dehradun, August 3: The flood situation in parts of Assam showed signs of improvement on Monday, but thousands of families remain displaced as floodwaters continue to inundate several low-lying areas. Authorities are continuing relief and rehabilitation efforts while state leaders push for long-term solutions to recurring floods and riverbank erosion.
According to the latest official figures, floods continue to affect five districts—Golaghat, Jorhat, Sivasagar, Charaideo, and Dhemaji. A total of 21 revenue circles and 335 villages remain impacted.
More than 136,203 people have been affected by the floods, while approximately 15,422 hectares of agricultural land have suffered damage. The disaster has claimed three lives in Sivasagar district, and two people remain missing, both from the same district. Officials said no urban areas have been affected by flooding.
Families Still Unable to Return Home
Although water levels have receded in parts of Golaghat district, many residents under the Komarbandha Gram Panchayat, including villages such as Kuliapani, Kapuhating, Na-Pamua, Rajnakhat, Kharjan, Mahatgaon, and Kumargaon, remain unable to return to their homes.
During a relief distribution visit, social worker Siddhartha Bora said the flooding has become an annual problem due to inadequate drainage.
“We observed that this is a recurring issue every year. There is a persistent problem with the water flow system. If a more effective drainage route could be established, it would significantly reduce flooding. We request the administration to find a permanent solution,” Bora said.
Local resident Dhurbo Das explained that heavy rainfall in neighboring Nagaland sends large volumes of water into the area, where poor drainage causes prolonged flooding.
“There is no proper outlet for the water to drain. If this water could be diverted efficiently into the Dhansiri River, it would not accumulate here. An alternate diversion channel is urgently needed,” Das said.
Residents Prioritize Rescue Over Personal Belongings
In one flood-hit area, a resident recounted how families abandoned their possessions to rescue stranded neighbors.
“We first moved the elderly and children to safety. We intended to return for our belongings, but there wasn’t time. People kept calling for help, asking us to rescue their children. We left everything behind and focused on saving lives,” he said.
Government Reviews Relief Measures
Assam Minister Pijush Hazarika visited the flood-affected Demow and Nazira Assembly constituencies in Sivasagar district to review ongoing relief and rehabilitation work being carried out by district officials.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation as rescue and relief operations remain underway.
Uttarakhand Offers Assistance
Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami spoke with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday to express solidarity with the flood-affected state.
Dhami conveyed the condolences and support of the people of Uttarakhand, assuring Sarma that his government stands ready to provide any assistance required during the crisis.
He also prayed for the early restoration of normalcy and for the safety and well-being of all affected residents.
Long-Term Plan for Riverbank Erosion
Earlier, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the Assam Government will prepare a science-based, long-term strategy to address the state’s persistent riverbank erosion problem with the assistance of experts from IIT Guwahati.
During a visit to erosion-affected areas in Dibrugarh district, Sarma inspected damaged riverbanks at Pukhurijan and interacted with local residents.
He said the Water Resources Department has already proposed a ₹90-crore erosion mitigation project for the affected region, which will be strengthened with scientific expertise from IIT Guwahati to develop durable and sustainable protection measures.
The Chief Minister emphasized that while temporary erosion-control measures have provided limited relief, the recurring impact of the Brahmaputra River requires a comprehensive, long-term engineering solution to safeguard lives, property, and livelihoods.
Relief operations continue across the affected districts as authorities closely monitor the evolving flood situation.
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