Assam continued to bear the brunt of heavy rainfall-induced floods, with the death toll climbing to 61 on Saturday, as more than 14 people lost their lives in the past 24 hours, officials said. According to officials from the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), water levels in several major rivers have begun receding after a reduction in rainfall, but close to 1.1 million people residing in more than 2,000 villages have been affected.

Officials added that intensified relief and rehabilitation operations are in full swing across the state.

Amid the worsening humanitarian crisis, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Saturday spoke to Assam’s Chief Minister (CM) Himanta Biswa Sarma to review the extent of the devastation caused by the natural calamity, and also to take stock of the ongoing rescue and relief operations.

PM assures all possible assistance

CM Sarma shared details of his conversation with PM Modi on his official ‘X’ handle, informing that the latter sought a comprehensive update on the flood situation, including the challenges being faced by the administration and the progress of relief operations.

His statement read, “ He (PM Modi) sought an update on the extent of the devastation, the ongoing relief operations and the challenges we are confronting on the ground. I briefed him on the measures being undertaken by the State Government and our efforts to reach out to every affected family."

CM Sarma further wrote that PM Modi expressed profound grief over the loss of lives and property and assured Assam that the Centre would provide every possible aid for relief, rehabilitation and rebuilding efforts.

Sivasagar the worst hit district in state

ASDMA officials said seven of the 14 deaths reported on Friday occurred in the Charaideo district, while 6 such cases were reported from Sivasagar and one from Jorhat. They added that Sivasagar has registered the highest number of flood-related fatalities so far, and the district’s death toll stands at 27.

One person, according to officials, is missing.

Besides this, officials told the media that Sivasagar also remains the worst-affected district in terms of the number of people impacted (3.48 lakh). Charaideo has reported around 1.88 lakh affected people, while as many as 1.26 lakh people are rendered harmed in Jorhat.

Relief operations ramped up across flood-hit districts

CM Sarma said the state government had already ensured arrangements and had stepped up relief operations, and ministers have been deployed on the ground to supervise rescue and rehabilitation measures. As per him, more than 41,000 displaced people are taking shelter in 162 relief camps laid across the affected districts.

The government, according to the Chief Minister, has already released as much as Rs 111 crore to district administrations for relief measures. Essential commodities, including more than 14,000 quintals of rice, 2,000 quintals of pulses and 58, 820 litres of mustard oil have been distributed among affected families, and the supplies are duly reaching the flood-hit areas.

Moreover, mobile medical teams and Animal Husbandry Department units have also been deployed across affected locations to prevent the outbreaks of contagious diseases and provide timely treatment to both residents and livestock.