Guwahati, 26 July (HS): Floodwaters have started receding in Assam, but the situation remains critical in several parts of Upper Assam. According to the latest Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) report based on July 25 data, four more bodies were recovered, taking the total flood-related death toll in the state to 66.

The Dikhow River at Sivasagar and the Dhansiri River at Numaligarh continue to flow above the danger mark.

At a late-night Cabinet meeting on Saturday, the Assam government decided to intensify relief operations and speed up damage assessment. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has directed authorities to continue rescue and relief measures on a war footing, while ministers and MLAs are monitoring relief work in the affected areas.

Currently, floods have affected 10 districts—Golaghat, Charaideo, Kamrup, Hojai, Dibrugarh, Sivasagar, Jorhat, Sonitpur, Kamrup (Metro) and Nagaon. A total of 810 villages under 28 revenue circles remain inundated, affecting 654,838 people. Around 34,970.8 hectares of agricultural land are still under water.

The state government has set up 274 relief facilities, including 90 relief camps and 184 relief distribution centres. A total of 18,902 people are staying in relief camps, while 123,114 non-camp beneficiaries are receiving relief assistance.

On July 25, four bodies were recovered—one in Charaideo and three in Sivasagar. The floods have also impacted 454,071 animals, including 93,751 large animals, 57,897 small animals and 302,423 poultry birds. As many as 3,021 animals were washed away, including 3,016 in Charaideo and five in Jorhat.

Rescue and relief operations are being carried out by SDRF, DDRF, NDRF, Assam Police, Fire and Emergency Services, district administrations, Civil Defence volunteers and other agencies.

The government has deployed 210 medical teams in the affected areas. During the day, 55 boats were used in rescue operations, saving 13 people and 22 animals stranded in floodwaters.

Relief materials distributed among affected families include 1,668.682 quintals of rice, 286.985 quintals of pulses, 83.7545 quintals of salt, 7,995.01 litres of mustard oil, 13,254.831 quintals of wheat bran and 5.84 quintals of rice bran as cattle feed.

The floods have caused extensive damage to roads, bridges and other public infrastructure. Meanwhile, Union Minister of State Pabitra Margherita reviewed the flood situation in Jorhat with MPs, MLAs and district officials to assess the ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash