Assam floods worsen: 7 dead, dams overflow, thousands displaced across 19 districts

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 1, 2025

The flood situation in Assam continued to deteriorate on Sunday, with the death toll climbing to seven as two more fatalities were reported from Cachar and Sribhumi districts. The first wave of floods has now affected 3.64 lakh people across 764 villages in 19 districts, according to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA).

Cachar is the hardest hit, with over 1.03 lakh people impacted in 89 villages across Silchar, Katigorah, Udharbond, Lakhipur, and Sonai.

Sribhumi follows with 83,621 affected across 148 villages. Nagaon reports 62,770 affected in 93 villages.

The Central Water Commission (CWC) reported multiple rivers flowing above the danger level. The Brahmaputra is flowing above the danger level at Dibrugarh and Neamatighat, Dhansiri at Numaligarh, Kopili at Kampur, Katakhal at Matizuri, Barak at B.P. Ghat and Kushiyara is flowing above the danger level at Sribhumi.

In Lakhimpur, flood conditions worsened after NEEPCO released excess water from the Ranganadi Dam, causing a 200-metre dyke breach at Nagar Gaon. Residents have been forced to take shelter in makeshift relief camps on embankments and highways, grappling with food and medicine shortages.

In West Karbi Anglong, around 1,600 people were affected after water was released from the Khandong Dam of the Kopili Hydro Power Station in Dima Hasao. The Karbi Langpi Hydropower Project also released excess water, submerging villages near Donkamokam.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), cautioned that upstream rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh—including Kibitoo (17 cm), Hayuliang (15 cm), and Kalaktang (10 cm)—could lead to a further rise in river levels. He also cited heavy rainfall in Silchar (42 cm), Karimganj (35 cm), and Hailakandi (30 cm) as aggravating the flood threat. Residents in low-lying areas have been advised to stay vigilant and follow safety protocols.

Rescue operations are in full swing across flood-hit zones:

417 people have been evacuated by boats

14 individuals were airlifted by helicopters

A Mi-17 helicopter from the Indian Air Force executed a critical humanitarian rescue mission in Arunachal Pradesh, evacuating 14 people stranded in the flooded Bomjir River in Lower Dibang Valley, who were completely cut off from land access.

Joint teams from Civil Defence, NDRF, SDRF, Fire and Emergency Services, and local authorities are actively engaged in rescue efforts, evacuating residents, delivering supplies, and setting up relief camps.

District administrations—especially in Nagaon—have issued flood safety guidelines urging the public to avoid flooded areas, stay informed via official channels, and contact authorities in emergencies.