At least eight people have lost their lives due to devastating floods and landslides triggered by relentless rainfall across Assam, with over 78,000 residents affected in 17 districts, officials confirmed over the weekend.
According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), five people were killed in landslides in the Kamrup Metropolitan district, while three others died in flood-related incidents in Golaghat and Lakhimpur. The rainfall has caused extensive damage to infrastructure, including embankments, roads, and residential properties.
The flood situation remained grim on Sunday, as ten major rivers—including the Brahmaputra, Ranganadi, Dhansiri, Jia Bharali, Kopili, and Beki—were flowing above the danger mark. Most rivers are on a rising trend, further worsening the deluge.
Lakhimpur emerged as the worst-affected district, with over 41,600 residents impacted. Statewide, more than 58,000 people have been affected, with 1,224 seeking refuge in five designated relief camps. Authorities have also set up 11 relief distribution centres to aid those displaced by the floods.
Five districts, including Kamrup, Dibrugarh, Darrang, Cachar, and Kamrup Metropolitan, are reeling under urban flooding. In Cachar, over 12,300 people have been affected, the highest in this category.
Guwahati, the state's largest city, saw severe waterlogging for the second consecutive day, submerging several localities. Rescue personnel from the NDRF, SDRF, police, and fire services have been deployed to evacuate stranded residents.
Urban Affairs Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah visited flood-affected areas in Guwahati on Saturday. “We are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with all emergency services to ensure timely response and relief for those affected,” he said. Government officials also accompanied the minister during the inspection, aiming to assess the damage and review the emergency response in the city.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has placed three districts—Dhubri, Kokrajhar, and Bongaigaon—under a 'red alert', signalling the likelihood of extremely heavy rainfall and squally winds reaching 50–60 km/h. Another eight districts, including South Salmara Mankachar, Goalpara, Chirang, Baksa, Barpeta, Bajali, Dima Hasao, and Cachar, remain under 'orange alert', advising people to stay prepared for thunderstorms and heavy rainfall.
The deluge in Assam has been worsened by water run-off from the neighbouring states of Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya, both of which have recorded heavy to very heavy rainfall in recent days.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma acknowledged the dire situation, stating on Friday, “The state is facing an abnormal situation due to incessant rainfall and dense cloud cover across several parts of the Northeast. We are taking all possible measures to tackle this emergency.”
In response to the worsening conditions, the government announced special casual leave for state employees in Kamrup and Kamrup Metropolitan districts on Saturday, particularly for those who face difficulties commuting to work.
Educational institutions across these two districts were also closed, while flight operations at Guwahati airport were disrupted due to heavy rain and strong winds, according to airport authorities. As rescue and relief efforts continue, authorities have urged residents to stay vigilant and follow safety advisories amid forecasts of continued heavy rainfall in the coming days.
