Over 60 Deaths, 8 Lakh Reeling, 25% Worst-Hit Spots Inaccessible: What Caused ‘Extremely Critical’ Flood Situation In Assam?

Last Updated:July 27, 2026, 11:18 IST

Parts of Upper Assam have been heavily inundated for the past 5-6 days, following a short but catastrophic spell of continuous heavy rain

Children wade through a waterlogged road following heavy rainfall, at Rukmini Gaon, in Guwahati, Assam, on Saturday. (PTI)

The flood situation in Assam remained extremely critical on Saturday, with the total death toll rising rapidly to over 60 fatalities following severe single-day spikes. More than 7 to 8 lakh people are currently reeling under the deluge across multiple districts, with 25% of the worst-hit areas still remaining completely inaccessible.

Parts of Upper Assam have been heavily inundated for the past 5 to 6 consecutive days, following a short but catastrophic spell of continuous heavy rain.

While Assam has been experiencing intermittent monsoon cycles for weeks, this specific devastating flood wave was triggered by a rapid 2-day period of extreme, intense cloudbursts that began upstream on Sunday, July 19, and Monday, July 20. The relentless, heavy downpour has continued intermittently across several districts through today, July 25.

GROUND SITUATION

• Worst-Hit Regions: Sivasagar, Charaideo, and Jorhat districts in Upper Assam are facing their worst flood wave in over 60 years. Sivasagar alone accounts for over 3.75 lakh affected residents.
• Displacement & Inundation: Over 856 villages are fully submerged under water, forcing more than 24,000 citizens into emergency government relief camps.
• Agricultural Impact: Massive destruction has been recorded in the farming sector, with over 56,606 hectares of crucial crop area entirely underwater.
• Rivers in Spate: The Brahmaputra River and its rapid tributaries—including the Dikhow, Disang, Burhidihing, and Dhansiri—continue to breach their danger marks and overflow.
• Rescue Operations: Heavy active mobilization by the NDRF, SDRF, Indian Army, and Air Force is underway under Operation Jal Rahat, deploying rescue boats and drones to drop essential supplies.

WHAT CAUSED THE FLOODS?

Upstream Torrential Rain: Extreme, heavy downpours on July 18–19 across the neighboring hill districts of Nagaland (such as Mon, Wokha, and Mokokchung) triggered an unprecedented rush of water downstream. Local rainfall departures reached up to 493% above normal levels.

The “Brahmaputra Backflow” Effect: The main Brahmaputra River was already heavily swollen from previous monsoon waves. Because its water level was so high, it blocked and hindered the natural drainage of these overflowing tributaries, forcing water backward into the plains of Upper Assam.

Upstream Deforestation & Siltation: Heavy deforestation and mining activities in Nagaland hills have accelerated soil erosion. Massive volumes of sediment have washed downstream into rivers like the Bhogdoi, raising riverbeds, reducing water-carrying capacity, and causing immediate embankment breaches.

WHAT IS THE WEATHER FORECAST?

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted continued moderate to heavy rainfall along with isolated thunderstorms across Assam over the coming days.

Authorities have kept several northeastern and Himalayan foothill regions under active weather warnings due to the risk of localised landslips and further riverine flooding.

Because upstream catchments are fully saturated, water levels are expected to recede very slowly, keeping the low-lying areas waterlogged for the immediate future.

With agency inputs

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Manjiri Joshi

At the news desk for 20 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing speci…Read More

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