Rains cripple Northeast, 6 more die in Assam

GUWAHATI/SILCHAR/KOHIMA/AIZAWL: The flood crisis in the northeastern states deepened on Tuesday as heavy rainfall continued to lash the region, claiming more lives and displacing thousands.

- MPOST BUREAU

In Assam alone, six more fatalities were reported, pushing the death toll from floods and landslides this year to 17 in the state, while over 6.3 lakh people across 21 districts remain affected. With rivers flowing above danger levels and extensive damage to infrastructure, authorities have intensified rescue and relief operations across Assam, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Mizoram.

In Assam, the bulletin confirmed that the deaths were reported from six districts — Hailakandi, Sribhumi, Morigaon, Cachar, Sonitpur, and Tinsukia — while one person remains missing in Cachar. "A total of 6,33,114 people across 1,506 villages in 69 revenue circles are currently affected," the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) stated.

Sribhumi remains the most severely hit district, with more than 2.3 lakh residents affected, followed by Nagaon and Cachar, where nearly one lakh and 89,000 people respectively are impacted by the flooding.

Seven rivers have crossed their danger levels.

Marks in multiple locations, with the Katakhal river breaching its highest recorded flood level at Matizuri in Hailakandi. Among others, the Brahmaputra, Burhidihing, Kopili, Barak, Dhaleswari, Rukni, and Kushiyara rivers are flowing above danger levels at several points.

Infrastructural damage has also been reported across the state. Two embankments were breached and three others damaged, with roads, bridges, and homes also sustaining considerable destruction. Authorities have opened 223 relief camps housing nearly 40,000 displaced individuals, and an additional 288 distribution centres have been set up for relief material.

During a visit to the severely affected Cachar district, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma interacted with residents in relief camps and promised swift government support. "We will provide assistance to all affected families in a time-bound manner. There will be no delays this year," Sarma said during a press briefing.