Flood toll climbs to 47 in Assam; over 7 lakh affected

More than 7.21 lakh people were affected by the “unimaginable scale” floods in Assam on Thursday, July 23, 2026, which claimed six more lives and took the death toll to 47.

While the number of affected districts fluctuated between 10 and 16 depending on the weather, three eastern Assam districts – Sivasagar, Charaideo and Jorhat – which had no history of major floods, bore the brunt of this crisis. The majority of the 47 people who have lost their lives so far are from these districts.

Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) officials said that 4 people died in Sivasagar district and 2 people died in Charaideo in the last 24 hours. While a total of 883 villages were flooded, 24,124 people took shelter in 103 aid camps.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma attributed the “unprecedented devastation” to a combination of upstream showers in adjoining Nagaland and localized heavy rains 436% above normal. Floodwaters carried away thousands of animals and villagers, who were not equipped to foresee such destruction, were hit hard, he said.

He said various agencies, from Indian Air Force and National Disaster Response Force to State machinery, were working day and night and carrying out rescue and evacuation operations through air and boat.

“Our teams are delivering food, drinking water and other essential supplies to as many affected families as possible. Over 300,000 kg of rice and other essential relief supplies have already been delivered in the worst-affected areas alone, with more on the way,” the Prime Minister said.

He also said that the State government and the Center will prepare a comprehensive long-term rehabilitation package for each affected family.

“Once the crisis eases, we will launch a structured dialogue with neighboring countries to create a stronger coordination mechanism that can better protect our people from the effects of upriver downpours and similar disasters in the future,” he said.

According to ASDMA, Buridihing, Dikhou, Disang and Dhansiri rivers were overflowing.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Keshab Mahanta said, “We advise people not to get too close to overflowing rivers. People in flood-affected or flood-prone areas should be careful and desist from going out to see what the flood is like.”

He said several people drowned or were submerged during the flood because they were wondering where it was happening.

“During my tour to the flood-affected areas, I interacted with many victims. They told me that some people did not return after going out to satisfy their curiosity about the flood,” Mr. Mahanta, representing Asom Gana Parishad from Kaliabor Assembly constituency, told reporters.

Meanwhile, train services were suspended on a section of the Tinsukia Division of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) as flood waters submerged the railway tracks and adjoining areas.

“Due to incessant heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas, the Dikhow River overflowed its banks, leading to severe floods in and around Simaluguri town in Sivasagar district of Tinsukia Division,” NFR chief spokesperson Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said.

He added that efforts were on to restart normal train services.