Assam floods: 'Our whole village went under water' — 7 lakh affected, 31 dead

The Assam floods have taken a grim turn. Entire villages are underwater. At least 31 people have died so far. Over 7 lakh people are affected across the state.

Six more deaths were reported in the last 24 hours. Rescue teams are struggling to reach marooned areas. The Brahmaputra and its tributaries are flowing above the danger mark.

‘Our whole village went under water’

Residents of low-lying areas have lost everything. One survivor from Dhemaji district said, “Our whole village went under water. We barely managed to escape with our lives.”

Hundreds of villages are submerged. People are taking shelter on embankments and higher ground. Many have lost their homes, livestock, and crops. The smell of stagnant water hangs heavy in the air.

Death toll rises amid relentless rain

The official death count now stands at 31. The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) confirmed that six of these deaths occurred in the past day alone. Most victims died due to drowning or house collapses.

Two days of intense rain in neighbouring Nagaland worsened the situation. The runoff swelled rivers in upper Assam, catching many by surprise. Water levels rose rapidly, leaving little time for evacuation.

Officials have not yet confirmed the full extent of damage in remote areas. Communication lines remain cut off in several pockets.

Government announces Rs 4 lakh ex gratia

The Assam government has announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh for families of each deceased person. Relief camps have been set up in 12 districts. Over 1.5 lakh people are currently in these camps.

Food, drinking water, and medical supplies are being distributed. But many camps are overcrowded. Reports of shortages are emerging from some locations.

The Indian Army and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed. They are using boats and helicopters to rescue stranded people. So far, over 20,000 people have been evacuated.

Crops destroyed, livelihoods hit

The floods have devastated standing crops. Paddy fields are submerged. Farmers face huge losses. Many fear this will lead to a spike in food prices in the coming months.

Livestock too have died in large numbers. The state’s animal husbandry department is yet to release a full assessment. But early estimates suggest thousands of cattle have perished.

Roads and railway tracks have been damaged. Train services on some routes have been suspended. The Kaziranga National Park is also affected, with animals seeking higher ground.

Weather officials warn of more rain in the next 48 hours. The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for several districts. Rivers are expected to remain swollen.

Authorities are urging people to move to safer places. But for many, their village is all they have. The water has taken it for now.

The full picture of the devastation will only emerge once the waters recede. That could take days, if not weeks. The government faces a long road to recovery.