Assam floods: Amit Shah promises 'all possible support and assistance' after speaking to Himanta

The flood situation in Assam remained grim on Monday, with 45,839 people across seven districts affected and no fatalities reported so far, according to the state government.

The Assam State Disaster Management Authority said floodwaters had inundated 257 villages under 14 revenue circles in Bongaigaon, Dhemaji, Chirang, Dibrugarh, Nalbari, Biswanath, and Lakhimpur, while 1,690 hectares of crop land were also damaged.

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Amit Shah reviews flood response

Amid the worsening conditions, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and inquired about the situation in Dhemaji, which officials described as the worst-affected district.

Sarma said on X that he thanked Shah for “his phone call” and briefed him on the rescue, relief, and rehabilitation measures under way. He added that the home minister had assured “all possible support and assistance” from the government of India to deal with the crisis.

Dhemaji bears the heaviest blow

Dhemaji has borne the brunt of the flooding, with more than 41,000 people affected across 176 villages under the Jonai, Sissiborgaon, Dhemaji, and Gogamukh revenue circles.

Officials said an embankment breached in Jonai after heavy inflow from Arunachal Pradesh, inundating nearly 100 villages overnight. Police also said three people were swept away by the swollen Simen River in Jonai subdivision; two were rescued, while one remained missing as State Disaster Response Force teams continued search operations.

The floods have also begun to strain transport and communication links. The Northeast Frontier Railway suspended train services on the Murkongselek-Silapathar section after a pier of a railway bridge between Archipathar and Simen Chapari stations was damaged by strong river currents and erosion.

In addition, temporary bridges and other structures in the Chirang district and nearby areas were destroyed, cutting communications in parts of the state.

Rain keeps pressure on rescue efforts

Elsewhere, villages in Nalbari were inundated for the second time in a week after the Mora Pagladia River overflowed, while overflowing rivers in Lakhimpur damaged roads and culverts and cut off several villages.

The damage also disrupted school examinations in some areas. Revenue and disaster management minister Keshab Mahanta and water resources minister Sushanta Borgohain visited flood- and erosion-hit areas in Dhemaji on Monday to review rescue and relief operations, following directions from the chief minister.

The weather department has issued a red alert for Kokrajhar, Chirang, Tamulpur, and Baksa districts, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall over the next two days. District administrations have been asked to stay on alert, while NDRF teams with motorized boats have been deployed to strengthen rescue efforts.

Arunachal counts losses as Centre steps in

In Arunachal Pradesh, flash floods triggered by incessant rainfall left three people dead, while two others, including a minor, remained missing, and several houses were damaged.

Shah also called Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who said he had briefed the home minister on the evolving situation and the ongoing relief, rescue, and rehabilitation work. Khandu later said he appreciated Shah’s “prompt concern” and “unwavering commitment” toward the welfare of the people of Arunachal Pradesh.

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FAQs

Q1: Why did Amit Shah speak to the chief ministers of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh?

Ans: Amit Shah spoke to the chief ministers to review the flood situation and assured full support from the Centre for relief, rescue and rehabilitation efforts.

Q2: Which areas are the worst affected by the floods in Assam?

Ans: Dhemaji is the worst-hit district, with floodwaters affecting more than 41,000 people and damaging villages, roads and infrastructure.