Dibrugarh: The flood situation in Assam has deteriorated sharply, with Sivasagar, Charaideo and Jorhat emerging as the worst-affected districts following heavy rainfall and a cloudburst in the upper catchment areas.
According to the latest flood report issued on July 20, 2026, floods have affected 16 districts, inundating 794 villages across 45 revenue circles and impacting 3,62,933 people.
Nearly 19,100 hectares of crop area remain submerged, while several major rivers, including the Brahmaputra, Burhidihing, Disang and Dhansiri (South), are flowing above the danger level. The Dikhow River at Sivasagar has crossed its highest flood level.
Sivasagar remains the worst-hit district, with 1,57,727 people affected across 189 villages in five revenue circles. More than 9,179 hectares of agricultural land have been submerged, while 19 relief camps are sheltering 4,929 people.
The district has also witnessed massive livestock losses, with over 5.12 lakh animals affected by the floods. Rescue operations involving the NDRF, SDRF, Fire and Emergency Services, Civil Defence and the district administration are continuing on a war footing.
Charaideo has reported 1,04,415 affected people across 108 villages, with 1,238 hectares of cropland under water. Rescue teams have evacuated 5,526 people using seven boats, while relief distribution centres have been opened to assist affected families. One person has been reported missing from the district.
In Jorhat, floods have affected 50,987 people in 162 villages, damaging 4,444 hectares of agricultural land. The district has opened 33 relief camps and 30 relief distribution centres, where 940 displaced people are currently taking shelter.
Four flood-related deaths have been reported from the district. Rescue teams have evacuated around 1,000 people, while relief materials are being distributed extensively.
The overflowing Dikhow River has also disrupted rail connectivity in Upper Assam by inundating tracks and railway infrastructure in the Simaluguri area, affecting train movement in the region.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as rescue and relief operations remain in full swing across the worst-affected districts.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has shared a series of updates on the prevailing flood situation in the state, particularly highlighting the impact of the recent cloudburst in Jorhat, Sivasagar and Charaideo districts.
He said that due to the sudden and exceptionally high flood discharge triggered by the cloudburst, eight breaches have occurred in embankments across the Jorhat region.
Sarma informed that immediate temporary measures, including bamboo bandalling, bamboo palisading and boiling works using EC bags, have been initiated to contain the damage until floodwaters recede.
Teams are continuously monitoring the affected areas and reinforcing flood protection and anti-erosion measures until permanent restoration works can be undertaken.
He also stated that extensive multi-agency rescue operations are underway to evacuate people stranded by the floods. Indian Air Force helicopters have been pressed into service to assist civil authorities in rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts.
Reiterating the government's commitment to the affected population, the Chief Minister said no effort is being spared to reach every person impacted by the unprecedented floods.
Rescue teams, along with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), are working round the clock to evacuate stranded residents and shift them to safer locations.
He further informed that officials have been directed to ensure adequate food grain supplies across all flood-affected areas. Every government department has been placed on high alert and is functioning in close coordination to minimise the impact of the disaster.
Sarma added that he is personally monitoring the situation in all flood-affected Assembly constituencies. He also noted that elected representatives are staying alongside the people in the affected areas, emphasising that collective effort remains the strongest weapon in tackling the ongoing crisis.
Meanwhile, floodwaters from the swollen Brahmaputra and its tributaries have severely affected Jorhat, Sivasagar and Charaideo districts, leaving thousands of residents stranded and disrupting road and rail connectivity.
The overflowing Dikhow River inundated railway tracks and station infrastructure at Simaluguri, forcing the suspension of train movement on the Simaluguri-Namti and Simaluguri-Seleng Hat sections and causing the diversion and regulation of several train services in Upper Assam.
The flood situation has deteriorated following persistent rainfall over the past few days and intense precipitation in the upstream catchment areas, leading to a rapid rise in river water levels.
Relief and rescue operations are continuing across the affected districts, with multiple agencies working in coordination to assist those in distress.
Authorities have urged residents living in vulnerable and low-lying areas to remain alert and follow official advisories as water levels continue to be closely monitored.