Guwahati, India — Flash floods and landslides across Assam have resulted in the deaths of eight individuals over the past 24 hours, as reported by local officials. The Assam State Disaster Management Authority confirmed that three fatalities were attributed to flooding, while five others perished in landslide incidents.
In Golaghat district, a tragic occurrence led to the drowning of two individuals, including a child. Additionally, one person lost their life in Lakhimpur district due to floodwaters. The Kamrup (Metro) district experienced a separate crisis, with five fatalities reported from various landslides, and two others sustained injuries.
The ongoing heavy rainfall has severely impacted 175 villages spread across 12 districts: Dhemaji, South Salmara, Lakhimpur, Dibrugarh, Golaghat, Darrang, Nagaon, Karbi Anglong, Kamrup, Biswanath, Tinsukia, and Karbi Anglong West. According to ASDMA, approximately 58,091 residents have been significantly affected by the initial wave of flooding. A staggering 791.32 hectares of agricultural land have been submerged.
As the crisis deepened, nearly 7,000 individuals sought refuge in relief camps established by the district authorities. Currently, there are 16 such camps operational in the affected areas. The flooding has also impacted local wildlife, with 194 animals washed away and an estimated 75,918 animals affected overall in the flood-stricken districts.
Emergency response teams, including the State Disaster Response Fund and National Disaster Response Fund, have been mobilized to conduct rescue operations in the hardest-hit regions. In the last day, floodwaters caused significant damage, taking a toll on infrastructure with 22 roads, one bridge, and several embankments and irrigation canals compromised.
Urban areas in Kamrup, Dibrugarh, Darrang, and Cachar districts also faced serious flooding, affecting at least 9,865 residents. In light of the unfolding disaster, Assam’s Housing and Urban Affairs Minister, Jayanta Mallabaruah, visited flood-impacted regions in Guwahati on Saturday. He aimed to assess the conditions and evaluate government emergency measures.
During his visit, the minister toured critical areas, including parts of the National Highway and multiple inundated neighborhoods. He highlighted the city’s natural drainage concerns, noting that many flood-prone areas function like basins, capturing runoff from surrounding hills. To address this ongoing issue, Mallabaruah indicated that two major drainage systems are under construction to help divert excess water more effectively.
As the situation develops, authorities are working tirelessly to provide assistance and resources to those affected while implementing long-term solutions to mitigate the risk of future flooding.