Guwahati, 29 July (HS): The flood situation in Assam continues to improve gradually, but over 3.32 lakh people remain affected across seven districts. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), seven more bodies were recovered from Sivasagar district, taking the overall flood death toll in the state to 75.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced financial assistance of ₹9 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives in the floods. He also stated that if the seven persons still missing from Nazira in Sivasagar district are not traced, the government will soon declare them deceased and extend financial assistance to their families.

Although floodwaters are receding, residents returning home are facing fresh challenges as thick layers of mud and silt have accumulated inside houses and schools. Many people continue to stay in relief camps due to unsafe living conditions.

At present, Sivasagar, Golaghat, Charaideo, Jorhat, Nagaon, Sonitpur and Kamrup (Metro) remain affected. Floodwaters have inundated 622 villages in 21 revenue circles, affecting 3,32,639 people and submerging 45,341.98 hectares of agricultural land. The Dhansiri River at Numaligarh is still flowing above the danger mark.

The state government is operating 81 relief camps and 34 relief distribution centres. A total of 32,477 people are staying in relief camps, while 16,314 others are receiving assistance through relief distribution centres.

The floods have also severely impacted livestock, with 5,59,973 animals affected, including 77,894 large animals, 65,257 small animals and 4,16,822 poultry birds. As many as 90,090 animals have reportedly been washed away, including 80,900 in Sivasagar district alone.

Infrastructure damage has also been significant. In Sivasagar, 186 kutcha houses and two pucca houses were completely damaged, while hundreds of other houses, huts and cattle sheds suffered partial damage.

Rescue and relief operations are being carried out by the SDRF, NDRF, Army, Air Force, police, Fire and Emergency Services, district administration and trained civil defence volunteers. The government has deployed 125 medical teams in flood-affected areas, while 21 boats remain engaged in relief operations, rescuing two people to safety.

The state government has also distributed essential relief materials, including rice, pulses, salt, mustard oil and cattle feed, while damage assessment and restoration of roads, bridges and other public infrastructure are underway.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash