Guwahati, June 6: With rainfall easing since Thursday evening, floodwaters have begun receding across Assam, though major rivers and tributaries remain above danger levels in several districts. The Barak Valley continues to bear the brunt of the disaster, with three of its districts — Sribhumi, Hailakandi, and Cachar — among the worst affected.
According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), over 4.43 lakh people from 1,296 villages across 18 districts have been affected by the first wave of floods. While no new casualties were reported on Friday, the death toll stands at 16, and one person remains missing in Chandrapur, Kamrup Metro.
The Brahmaputra is flowing above the danger level at Dhubri, along with the Kopili (Dharamtul), Katakhal (Matizuri), Barak (Bpghat), and Kushiyara (Sribhumi) rivers.
District-wise, the impact is most severe in Sribhumi with 2,18,131 people affected across 283 villages followed by Hailakandi with 1,28,156 people across 126 villages and Cachar with 70,234 people across 149 villages.
The state government has set up 156 relief camps and 172 distribution centres. Currently, 40,313 people are taking shelter in camps, while 1.19 lakh non-camp residents are receiving aid from distribution centres. Additionally, 24 domestic animals have perished, and 2.96 lakh livestock have been affected.
Authorities are distributing relief materials, including 1,789.49 quintals of rice, 337.22 quintals of dal, 99.15 quintals of salt and 9,758.06 litres of mustard oil.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited Hailakandi and Sribhumi districts on Friday to assess the situation and reassure affected communities. He visited relief camps at Kalinagar, Panchgram, Rabindra Sadan Girls’ College, Government Higher Secondary School, and Bhanga Higher Secondary School, interacting with displaced residents.
During his inspection, the CM instructed district commissioners to ensure an uninterrupted supply of essentials, focus on the needs of senior citizens, children, and lactating mothers and begin immediate assessment of flood-related damage for early repair and rehabilitation.
Speaking to the press in Sribhumi, Sarma confirmed that while the Barak River has overflowed in Hailakandi, no embankment breaches were reported there. However, a breach in the Longai River embankment was reported, and the government will launch urgent repair projects for embankments along the Longai and Shingla Rivers.
