Assam flood situation slightly improves, death toll rises to 66

GUWAHATI, July 26, 2026 — The flood situation in eastern Assam improved slightly on July 26, 2026, as heavy rainfall subsided across most parts of the state on Saturday. However, the death toll rose to 66 on Sunday morning, while hundreds of villages remained under water.

According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), nearly 7 lakh people in 12 districts have been affected by the current wave of floods. More than 35,000 hectares of cropland have been damaged, and over 25,000 people have taken shelter in hundreds of relief camps set up by the district administrations. Sivasagar district is the worst affected, with around three lakh people impacted, followed by Charaideo and Jorhat. Other flood-hit districts include Golaghat, Dibrugarh, Hojai, Nagaon, Karbi Anglong, Sonitpur, Biswanath, Dhemaji and Kamrup.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to take stock of the rescue and relief operations in the flood-affected areas. Expressing deep condolences over the loss of lives and property, the Prime Minister assured the Assam government of all possible support for relief, rehabilitation and rebuilding efforts.

President Droupadi Murmu also expressed grief over the devastation in Assam and prayed for the safety of those affected by the calamity. She also wished for the well-being of all personnel engaged in rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts. "The nation stands in solidarity with the people of Assam," President Murmu said.

On the ground, personnel from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Army and the Air Force, along with local administration officials and volunteers, continue round-the-clock rescue and relief operations.

Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya recently chaired a high-level review meeting with office-bearers of the Assam unit of the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) at Lok Bhavan to assess the ongoing humanitarian response for flood-affected people across the state. Stressing the need for a robust and proactive response, Governor Acharya urged the concerned agencies to further streamline the emergency response mechanism. He also emphasised the need for preventive measures to address the possible outbreak of water-borne and vector-borne diseases in the post-flood period.

However, thousands of affected families are still without essential relief materials, including safe drinking water and healthcare support, as extensive damage has been reported to embankments, roads, bridges and other infrastructure.

Meanwhile, a Central team has arrived in Assam to assess the flood situation in the affected districts of eastern Assam. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had informed Chief Minister Sarma about the visit during a conversation a few days ago.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, while expressing concern over the calamity, said Assam's flood situation was discussed in detail during the latest Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Modi. He added that the Centre and the Assam government are maintaining close coordination to deal with the situation.

Chief Minister Sarma also directed state ministers Bimal Bora, Sushanta Borgohain, Pijush Hazarika, Keshab Mahanta and Ajanta Neog to oversee relief and rehabilitation efforts on the ground.

Initially, it was believed that a cloudburst in the Naga Hills between July 18 and 20 had triggered the devastating floods in Assam. However, Sarma later clarified that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had not confirmed any cloudburst in either Nagaland or Assam during that period. He, however, stated that Mon, Mokokchung and Wokha districts of Nagaland, along with adjoining areas of Assam, received exceptionally heavy rainfall, causing rivers to swell and inundate downstream villages.