Guwahati, 21 July (HS): Assam continues to grapple with a severe flood crisis as the death toll has increased to 13, while more than 3.13 lakh people remain affected across 11 districts. Continuous heavy rainfall in neighbouring hill states, particularly Nagaland, has triggered flash floods, causing several major rivers to swell beyond danger levels and inundate vast areas.

Charaideo, Sivasagar and Jorhat are the worst-hit districts, with Sivasagar alone reporting nearly 1.58 lakh affected residents. The floods have submerged 794 villages and damaged over 19,099 hectares of agricultural land. Nearly 5.97 lakh livestock and poultry have also been impacted.

According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the Brahmaputra is flowing above the danger mark at Neamatighat, while the Buridihing at Khowang, Dikhou at Sivasagar, Disang at Nanglamuraghat and Dhansiri at Golaghat and Numaligarh continue to remain above critical levels.

Floodwaters have severely disrupted transport and connectivity. Road links between Sivasagar and Nazira have been snapped after a major stretch of the Nazira-Geleky road was washed away, while National Highway-715 near Teok remains submerged. Rail services have also been hit, with the Northeast Frontier Railway cancelling, diverting and short-terminating more than 30 trains after floodwaters inundated the Simaluguri station yard and railway tracks.

Rescue and relief efforts have been intensified, with the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, NDRF, SDRF and Fire and Emergency Services carrying out evacuation operations in affected areas. Authorities have established 52 relief camps and distribution centres, providing shelter to more than 12,720 displaced people.----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash