Assam floods: Amit Shah assures Centre's help as 3 lakh remain affected

Amit Shah reviewed Assam's flood situation with Himanta Biswa Sarma and assured full central support. Even as waters recede, damaged homes, blocked roads and fresh rain alerts keep relief and restoration urgent.The floods in Assam have claimed 78 lives this year so far, while more than 3 lakh people remained affected in seven districts.Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday spoke to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to review the flood situation in the state and assured all possible help from the Centre for relief and restoration. The call came as floodwaters receded in many places, but the state government said many people were still unable to return home because their houses had been damaged or filled with mud and silt.The floods in Assam have claimed 78 lives this year so far, while more than 3 lakh people remained affected in seven districts. Even as the situation improved, the India Meteorological Department warned of heavy to very heavy rain and thunderstorms over the next three days in isolated parts of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, raising concerns for districts along the border. An Inter-Ministerial Central Team also finished a four-day visit to assess the damage, and Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya held a review meeting.Addressing reporters after flagging off relief materials collected from BJP workers, Sarma said, "The flood situation has improved as there has been no heavy rainfall after July 21. But the problem is that the damage has been so heavy.""People cannot return to their homes as their houses have either been damaged or filled with mud and silt. It is still difficult to reach some areas as roads have been blocked with mud that was carried down from the hills of Nagaland along with the water," he added. He said the floods had largely subsided, and the situation would improve in the coming days, adding, "It is important now how we resolve the misery of our people."On whether Assam would seek help from the global community, the chief minister said, "We do not need international aid. The central and state governments are competent to deal with the situation." He also said donations were coming in from different parts of the country and detailed data would be released soon. Sarma said that, following the directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, he would hold a meeting on Thursday with representatives of all banks operating in Assam to discuss special support measures for loans taken by flood-affected people. In a social media post, Sarma said Shah had called him a short while earlier to review the ongoing relief efforts in the wake of the Assam floods. He said the Union home minister asked about the ground situation and assured him that the Centre would continue to provide every assistance needed for relief, restoration and rebuilding. Sarma added that Shah had reiterated that all agencies and resources of the central government were at the disposal of the people of Assam during this difficult time. This was the second time Shah had spoken to the chief minister on the floods, after an earlier review on July 23.The governor reviewed the situation at Lok Bhawan with special focus on the worst-hit districts of Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat. Additional Chief Secretary L Sweety Changsan briefed him on the inundation, the affected districts and population, relief camps, rescue teams, the availability of essentials, the restoration of damaged infrastructure and the steps being taken by the state government. Acharya directed all departments and agencies to ensure uninterrupted rescue and relief work and timely assistance for all affected people.Officials said the central team, led by Ministry of Home Affairs Joint Secretary Ramachandrudu, reviewed the flood situation and the ongoing relief, rescue and restoration work during its visit to flood-hit districts in Upper Assam. The chief minister's office said the team was given a detailed presentation on the sudden floods that badly affected Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat. It was said that the damage was caused by persistent heavy rain across Assam and neighbouring states, especially in upstream areas of Nagaland, along with exceptionally high localised rainfall.The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall with thunderstorms from July 30 to August 1 at isolated places across Assam and parts of Arunachal Pradesh, which may affect Tinsukia, Dhemaji and Lakhimpur districts in Assam. It has issued an orange alert for Tinsukia. Orange alerts were also issued for Mon, Mokokchung and Wokha in Nagaland, which may affect nearby Assam districts including Charaideo, Sivasagar, Jorhat and Golaghat. The weather office said the rain could worsen waterlogging and flooding, trigger flash floods, slow traffic and raise the risk of localised landslides in vulnerable areas. Overall, while floodwaters have gone down in much of Assam, relief, restoration and the threat of more rain remain the main concerns.- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Jul 29, 2026 23:53 IST