Seven More Lives Lost as Flood Situation Improves; CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Unveils Fresh Compensation Measures
Guwahati: Assam’s flood crisis claimed seven more lives on Wednesday, pushing the overall death toll to 75, even as the number of people affected by the deluge declined to 3.32 lakh across seven districts, according to the latest bulletin issued by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA).
All seven fresh fatalities were reported from the Nazira revenue circle in Sivasagar district, while relief and rescue operations continued in flood-hit regions.
Key Highlights
- Death toll rises to 75 after seven fresh deaths were reported from Nazira in Sivasagar district.
- 3.32 lakh people remain affected across seven districts of Assam.
- Floodwaters continue to impact 21 revenue circles and 622 villages.
- Charaideo remains the worst-hit district with 1.42 lakh affected people, followed by Sivasagar (97,074) and Jorhat (57,371).
- The affected population has reduced from 4.45 lakh reported a day earlier, indicating gradual improvement.
- 81 relief camps are sheltering 32,477 displaced residents, while 34 relief distribution centres remain operational.
- Rescue and relief efforts are being carried out by the Army, Air Force, NDRF, SDRF, Fire and Emergency Services, along with civil volunteers.
- The Dhansiri (South) River continues to flow above the danger mark at Numaligarh in Golaghat district.
- Around 45,341.98 hectares of agricultural land remain submerged.
- Flood damage has also been reported to houses, schools, anganwadi centres and cattle sheds across the affected districts.
Government Announces Additional Relief
Amid the continuing flood situation, the Assam government announced a series of relief measures to support affected families.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the government has relaxed the norms for providing ex gratia assistance to the families of those who lost their lives in the floods and announced an additional compensation of ₹5 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased.
“So far, the rule was that post-mortem report has to be submitted to avail government ex gratia by next of kin,” Sarma said while announcing the revised policy during a Facebook Live session.
₹9 Lakh Assistance for Missing Persons
The Chief Minister also announced that families of people who remain missing in the floods will receive ₹9 lakh in ex gratia if the body is not recovered within one month. The concerned Circle Officer will be authorised to issue the required certificate for processing the compensation.
₹15,000 Interim Relief for Worst-Hit Families
Families severely affected in Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat will receive ₹15,000 as interim financial assistance to help meet immediate household expenses.
Sarma said the money would be released through the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, which has received more than ₹26 crore in donations since the latest spell of floods began around ten days ago.
The Chief Minister further announced that a comprehensive assessment of losses suffered by houses, crops, livestock and fisheries will begin from August 3, after which eligible families will receive compensation based on the damage assessment.
