Assam Flood Victims Unable to Return Home as Fresh Heavy Rain Threat Looms

Even as floodwaters have receded across most parts of Assam, thousands of families are still unable to return home because their houses have either been damaged or are buried under thick layers of mud and silt. The recovery could face another setback, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing an orange alert and forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall across Assam until August 1, raising fears of fresh flooding and landslides.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the flood situation has improved since there has been no heavy rainfall after July 21, but the scale of destruction remains enormous.

"People cannot return to their homes as their houses have either been damaged or filled with mud and silt. It is still difficult to reach some areas because roads have been blocked with mud carried down from the hills of Nagaland," Sarma said after flagging off relief materials collected by BJP workers.

He said the government's priority has now shifted from rescue to rehabilitation, with efforts focused on clearing mud, restoring roads, reconnecting essential services and helping affected families return home.

The latest IMD forecast, however, has raised fresh concerns. Active southwest monsoon conditions are expected to bring widespread rain, thunderstorms and lightning across Assam over the next few days. The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) has also urged people to remain alert as heavy rainfall could trigger fresh flooding in low lying areas and landslides in vulnerable hill districts.

The floods have so far claimed 78 lives, while more than three lakh people across seven districts continue to be affected. Thousands of homes, roads, embankments and public infrastructure have suffered extensive damage, slowing relief and rehabilitation work.

Another major challenge is restoring essential services. Nearly 13,000 households are still without electricity, although power supply is being restored in phases as water levels continue to fall. Authorities are also carrying out disinfection and fogging drives in affected villages to reduce the risk of disease outbreaks after the floods.

Sarma ruled out the need for international assistance, saying both the Centre and the Assam government are capable of handling the crisis. He added that donations have been received from across the country and details will be released soon.

The chief minister also thanked NGOs, voluntary organisations and individuals for extending support to flood victims. Following directions from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, he said he will meet representatives of banks operating in Assam to discuss special loan relief measures for flood-affected citizens.

The BJP on Wednesday dispatched relief materials worth Rs 16 crore for people in Charaideo and Sivasagar districts. Relief will also be distributed in Jorhat and Golaghat. The consignment includes 1.8 lakh mekhela chadors, 1.8 lakh children's T-shirts and 1.5 lakh mosquito nets.

Meanwhile, NDA ally Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) also sent relief materials to affected families in eastern Assam.