New Delhi, August 2 (ANI): The flood situation remained grim across several parts of India on Sunday, with heavy monsoon rains triggering flooding, waterlogging, displacement, and loss of life in Assam, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, and Gujarat. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned of more heavy rainfall and flash flood risks in several regions over the coming days.
In Chhattisgarh, heavy rains triggered severe flooding in the Abujhmad region, with Narayanpur district bearing the brunt. More than 50 houses were damaged, and two girls lost their lives.
A flood-affected resident, Sonaru Ram, said around 16 houses were washed away, adding that the area had never experienced such devastation before.
“The rain came suddenly, and we couldn’t go anywhere. We couldn’t salvage any belongings. Around 16 houses were washed away in this incident. We have suffered huge losses. A situation like this had never arisen before; this is the first time it has happened,” Ram told ANI.
Chhattisgarh Minister Kedar Kashyap told ANI that the region received exceptionally heavy rainfall on July 28, 29, and 30, with precipitation far above average and conditions resembling a cloudburst.
Kashyap said the state government is working to ensure immediate relief reaches affected communities.
“Consequently, many people were displaced from their homes, and local infrastructure has also suffered damage. Our district administration is working with great diligence. Efforts have been made to ensure immediate relief reaches the area. Relief materials have been distributed to the people here,” Kashyap said.
Assam continued to battle severe flooding, with the death toll rising to 82, according to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) report released Aug. 1. Two additional deaths were reported, one each in Sivasagar and Charaideo districts.
More than 192,000 people have been affected across five districts—Sivasagar, Golaghat, Jorhat, Nagaon, and Charaideo—where 379 villages remain inundated.
Assam Minister Pijush Hazarika visited the flood-hit Demow and Nazira Assembly constituencies in Sivasagar district to review relief and rehabilitation efforts.
Hazarika also assessed measures undertaken by the Agriculture Department to assist flood-affected farmers.
In a remarkable rescue effort, residents of Sivasagar’s Nepali Khuti area used six country-made boats to rescue more than 1,000 people from five villages after floodwaters inundated homes on July 19.
Sivasagar has been among the worst-hit districts this flood season, with widespread inundation damaging homes and businesses.
Residents involved in the rescue operation said the water rose rapidly, trapping families on rooftops, elevated platforms, and trees.
“We were at home, but the water came at such a speed. We started saving others using boats. We have never seen something like this. We had six boats, including mine and others. We rescued the people whose houses were torn apart, who were stranded, and took them to town on these boats. We saved over 1,000 people from five villages,” rescue volunteer Chouhan Choudhury said.
The six small wooden boats, never intended for emergencies of this scale, became a lifeline for hundreds of residents.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma thanked industrialist Gautam Adani for contributing Rs 11 crore and the Reliance Foundation for donating Rs 21 crore to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
In Kerala, eight people have died, eight remain missing, and 13 have been injured in rain-related incidents. A total of 5,792 people have been relocated to 209 relief camps. Twenty-seven houses have been destroyed, while 196 have sustained partial damage.
An official release said Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan continues to remain in contact with ministers overseeing various districts and local administrations regarding the evolving weather situation.
The government also assured adequate financial assistance for the families of those who died, as well as for people who lost homes, crops, and livelihoods. Officials said those injured in rain-related incidents would receive the best possible medical care and pledged continued support for affected communities.
In Ranni town in Pathanamthitta district, traders reported heavy losses after the Pamba River overflowed.
“I run this pharmacy here. The flood has badly affected people in Ranni. The water level rose suddenly yesterday, and within one and a half hours, the river overflowed. Most traders were unable to open their shops, and many have suffered losses worth lakhs of rupees,” a shop owner told ANI.
In Gujarat, the weather department issued a red alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in six districts, including Morbi, Surendranagar, Rajkot, and Ahmedabad. Officials said the rain system has shifted toward the Saurashtra region, causing widespread waterlogging.
Authorities in Odisha are also dealing with flood-like conditions, while red and orange weather alerts remain in effect for parts of Himachal Pradesh. Assam and Uttarakhand continue to remain on high alert because of rising water levels.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah approved additional central assistance to strengthen flood relief and response efforts. The federal government sanctioned Rs 500 crore each for Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Odisha; Rs 379.35 crore for Assam; Rs 193.95 crore for Himachal Pradesh; and Rs 44.55 crore for Arunachal Pradesh.
The Ministry of Home Affairs said the federal government has been closely monitoring the flood situation in coordination with state governments and has provided assistance, including the pre-deployment of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and logistical support from the Ministry of Defence where required.
The IMD said rainfall is expected to increase across northeastern India and the foothills of the central and eastern Himalayas over the next four to five days, while rainfall over southern peninsular India is likely to decrease.
However, coastal Karnataka and south interior Karnataka are expected to receive heavy rainfall over the next 48 hours.
The weather agency also warned of a low to moderate flash flood risk in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and Uttarakhand over the next 24 hours because of saturated soil and possible flooding in low-lying areas.
Similar flash flood concerns have also been issued for Kerala and parts of coastal and south interior Karnataka.
Authorities have advised residents in vulnerable areas to remain vigilant and follow official advisories. (ANI)
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