Guwahati, 20 July (HS): The flood situation in Assam has deteriorated rapidly since Sunday, leaving one person dead and affecting more than 57,000 people across seven districts. In view of the worsening crisis, the state government has asked the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force to remain on standby for rescue and evacuation operations.

According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), one person killed in Sivasagar due to floods, taking this year's flood-related death toll in the state to five. The latest ASDMA flood bulletin said that over 57,100 people have been affected in Charaideo, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Sivasagar, Tinsukia and Udalguri districts. The number of affected people has more than doubled from around 24,000 reported on Saturday.

Charaideo remains the worst-hit district with nearly 24,000 affected people, followed by Dhemaji with over 22,000 and Dibrugarh with more than 4,000 flood-affected residents.

Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma said the state government has requested the Army and the Air Force to stay prepared as the flood situation continues to worsen in Sivasagar, Charaideo and Jorhat. In a post on X, he said rescue and evacuation teams would be deployed immediately if required.

The Chief Minister also directed four Cabinet ministers—Ajanta Neog, Bimal Bora, Keshab Mahanta and Sushanta Budhaohain—to visit the affected districts, supervise relief and rescue operations, and ensure timely assistance reaches every affected family.

ASDMA said the administration is operating 14 relief camps and relief distribution centres in four districts, where 440 displaced people have taken shelter. During the day, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel rescued 10 people from different areas of Charaideo district.

Relief distributed during the past 24 hours included 58.17 quintals of rice, 10.89 quintals of pulses, 3.26 quintals of salt and 326.88 litres of mustard oil.

Floodwaters have submerged 298 villages across the state and damaged 3,874.84 hectares of agricultural land. Embankments, roads, bridges and other public infrastructure have also suffered damage in several districts.

ASDMA further said the Burhidihing River at Chenimari near Khowang in Dibrugarh district is flowing above the danger level, while more than 37,500 livestock and poultry have also been affected by the floods.----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash