Assam Flood Death Toll Climbs to 66, CM Announces ₹12 Crore Relief Campaign

The Assam flood situation improved marginally on Saturday, but the crisis is far from over. Four more deaths pushed this year's toll to 66, while 6.54 lakh people remain affected across Charaideo, Dibrugarh, Golaghat, Jorhat, Nagaon and Sivasagar, according to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA).

Three of the latest deaths were reported from Sivasagar and one from Charaideo. The toll includes 65 flood related deaths and one urban flood fatality. Although the number of affected people has dropped from 7.05 lakh in nine districts to 6.54 lakh in six districts, Sivasagar remains the worst hit with nearly 2.9 lakh people affected, followed by Charaideo with 1.9 lakh and Jorhat with 1.3 lakh.

The flood has submerged 810 villages across 28 revenue circles, damaged 34,970.8 hectares of cropland, and battered embankments, roads and bridges. The administration is operating 274 relief camps and aid centres, sheltering 18,902 displaced people, while the Dikhou and Dhansiri rivers continue to flow above the danger mark.

The disaster has also exposed long standing concerns over Assam's flood management, with residents questioning delayed embankment strengthening, drainage improvements and preparedness in vulnerable districts as recurring floods continue to devastate communities every monsoon.

Reviewing the situation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured the state of full Central support for rescue, relief and rehabilitation. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a ₹12 crore relief campaign to provide clothing and essential items to affected families and said the government would ensure that "every flood affected family receives relief without discrimination." He also said a Central inter ministerial team has arrived to assess losses and facilitate additional financial assistance from the Union government.

Even as waters recede, Dergaon in Golaghat is battling a new emergency. Residents are clearing mud and garbage, reporting frequent snake sightings and fearing outbreaks of diarrhoea, dengue and other waterborne diseases. Health teams have intensified sanitation and disinfection drives, but locals continue to demand faster waste clearance and stronger preventive measures.