Pankaj Nath, Assam: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said approximately 80,000 people in the worst-affected parts of Upper Assam remain stranded without relief supplies. Around 50,000 people in Nazira and roughly 30,000 in Sivsagar are yet to be reached by government or relief agencies, he said.While water levels have fallen slowly in several locations, connectivity to many remote villages remains disrupted, hampering rescue and relief operations, the chief minister told the media. Teams from the NDRF, SDRF, the Indian Army and district administrations are making continuous efforts to reach cut-off areas by boats and whatever means are available.
Sarma expressed confidence that relief will reach all affected people soon, and said the administration is keeping the situation under constant review and deploying additional resources as required. He confirmed that the flood-related death toll in the state has risen to 50, and warned that the figure could increase as search operations continue and several people remain missing.Power supply has also been severely affected by the floods. More than 60,000 families across the state are facing power outages, the chief minister said. Damage assessment and repair work are delayed in many inundated areas because crews cannot access them, although restoration efforts are ongoing.A central inter-ministerial team will visit Assam on Saturday to carry out on-ground assessments of affected areas and review requirements for financial assistance and rehabilitation, Sarma added. Heavy monsoon rains and increased inflows from upstream have caused widespread flooding this season in the Upper Assam districts of Sivasagar, Charaideo and Jorhat, prompting large-scale rescue and relief operations. The administration has urged residents to follow official instructions, stay in safe locations and cooperate with relief teams. Authorities said temporary shelters, food supplies and primary medical facilities are being provided for those affected.
