Assam flood death toll rises to 47, over 720,000 affected

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma says localised heavy rainfall 436% above normal and cloudbursts upstream in Nagaland combined to cause the unprecedented devastation

Published: July 24, 2026 02:40 am IST — GUWAHATI By: Rahul Karmakar

More than 7.21 lakh people have been affected by floods of "an unimaginable scale" in Assam, which claimed six more lives on Thursday (July 23, 2026), bringing the death toll to 47.

While the number of affected districts has fluctuated between 10 and 16 depending on weather conditions, three eastern Assam districts — Sivasagar, Charaideo, and Jorhat — which have no history of severe flooding, have borne the brunt. A majority of the 47 fatalities reported so far are from these districts.

Latest Casualties and Displacement

Officials from the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) reported that four people died in Sivasagar district and two in Charaideo during the last 24 hours. Currently:

• 883 villages remain submerged
• 24,124 people are taking refuge across 103 relief camps

Cause of Devastation

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma attributed the "unprecedented devastation" to a combination of:

• Cloudbursts upstream in adjoining Nagaland
• Localised heavy rainfall 436% above normal

He noted that floodwaters have washed away thousands of livestock, and villagers unaccustomed to such devastation have been severely impacted.

Rescue and Relief Operations

The Chief Minister stated that multiple agencies — including the Indian Air Force, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and state machinery — are working round the clock, conducting rescue and evacuation operations by air and boat.

"Our teams are reaching as many affected families as possible with food, drinking water, and other essential supplies. In the worst-affected districts alone, over 300,000 kg of rice and other essential relief materials have already been delivered, with more on the way."

Long-Term Rehabilitation Plans

Mr. Sarma said the state government and the Centre would work together on a comprehensive long-term rehabilitation package for every affected family.

"Once the immediate crisis subsides, we will begin a structured dialogue with neighbouring states to establish a stronger coordination mechanism that can better protect our people from the impact of upstream cloudbursts and similar calamities in the future."

Rivers in Spate

According to the ASDMA, the following rivers are currently in spate:

• Buridihing
• Dikhou
• Disang
• Dhansiri

Public Safety Advisory

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Keshab Mahanta advised people to avoid approaching overflowing rivers.

"We have been advising people not to go too close to the overflowing rivers. People in flood-affected or flood-prone areas should take care and desist from going out to see what floods are like."

He noted that some drownings occur because people become overly curious. "I have interacted with many victims during my tour of the flood-affected areas. They told me some people never returned after venturing out to satiate their curiosity about floods," Mr. Mahanta said.

Train Services Suspended

Train services remain suspended in a section of the Northeast Frontier Railway's (NFR) Tinsukia Division, as floodwaters have inundated railway tracks and surrounding areas.

Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, NFR's chief spokesperson, said: "Due to incessant heavy rainfall in the upstream catchment areas, the Dikhow River has been overflowing, leading to severe flooding in and around Simaluguri town in Sivasagar district under Tinsukia Division."

He added that efforts are underway to restore normal train services.

Published: July 24, 2026 02:40 am IST