Assam: Assam’s flood situation showed marginal improvement on July 9, as the number of affected districts and people declined. However, a fresh death was reported, raising this year’s flood and landslide death toll to 30, including six due to mudslides, according to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA). One death was reported from the Morongi revenue circle of Golaghat district. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma acknowledged that heavy rains in upstream regions were responsible for the deluge. “Our government is on the ground to assist with all needs, ensuring swift rescue and rehabilitation,” he posted on X.
Currently, 14 revenue circles and 175 villages across Golaghat, Nagaon, Hojai, Karbi Anglong, and Jorhat are submerged. Over 29,000 people remain affected, with Golaghat being the worst-hit, accounting for over 23,000 people. Rescue operations are underway involving multiple agencies, the local administration, and volunteers.
Recurring Nightmare: The Brahmaputra’s Wrath
Each year, the Brahmaputra river floods large swathes of Assam, displacing thousands. Temporary shelters often turn into semi-permanent homes for families who lose everything.
A Timeline of Flood Devastation
2012: Brahmaputra Deluge – 124 deaths, 6 million displaced; Kaziranga lost 540 animals.
2020: Pandemic-Year Floods – 1.6 million affected, 33 deaths, widespread crop and wildlife damage.
2025: Pre-Monsoon Fury – By early June, over 5 lakh affected, 7 dead, and 1,000 animals lost.
Voices from the Margins
In Rajabari, 25 km from Guwahati, residents battle chronic waterlogging. Monuranjan Doley told The Sunday Guardian, “Every year we are forced to abandon our homes. Things are only getting worse.” In Panikhaiti, an elderly resident said, “The water first enters our farms, then our homes. We are ready to sleep on highways again.” Artificial flooding in Guwahati remains a major concern, with clogged drains and unpaved roads compounding misery. Nargis Begum from Panjabari said, “We can’t afford hotels. Food is scarce, and the roads are unfinished. We fear the rains.”
Trapped by the River
Most of the riverbank residents are from tribal or marginalised communities, many of whom live on encroached land after losing their original homes to erosion. These communities face not just displacement but a collapse of everyday life.
Bhairab Masud, from a flood-hit area, described his struggle: “Our house is half-submerged. We can’t cook, clothes are soaked, essentials destroyed. There’s no system in place. Children can’t study when books are soaked.”
In desperate cases, residents rely on makeshift boats to move around. “We paddle through water. Walking isn’t an option,” Masud said.
Government Response and Road Ahead
The Assam government has launched an initiative to deploy youth volunteers for embankment monitoring. Each group will oversee 8–10 km stretches to ensure quick intervention during emergencies. Construction of new embankments along the Kopili River is also underway. However, experts warn that embankments alone won’t solve the crisis. Restoring wetlands like Deepar Beel, promoting afforestation in catchment areas, and creating elevated animal corridors in Kaziranga and Pobitora are vital to mitigate long-term damage. With floods now an annual certainty, Assam’s riverine communities continue to endure a relentless cycle of trauma, survival, and uncertain futures.
