Guwahati, July 23: Assam’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated on Wednesday that the flood situation in the state is far more severe than official assessments indicate. Numerous villages remain completely cut off, with bodies being recovered and thousands of people trapped due to flooding.
Speaking to reporters in Sonari, Charaideo district, the Chief Minister noted that many individuals have sought refuge in relief camps, while others remain stranded in villages that rescue teams have yet to reach.
He emphasized that entire villages are submerged, and there are locations where neither government nor relief agencies have been able to access. New bodies continue to be discovered, and the extent of the damage far exceeds the officially recorded figures.
Chief Minister Sarma announced plans to visit the affected areas personally and assured that the army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and state administration are collaborating to rescue trapped residents.
He acknowledged the immense hardships faced by flood victims, stating that many families have lost their homes, livestock, educational certificates, and other essential belongings in the floods.
“The extent of suffering is unimaginable. We stand with the people and will provide all possible assistance,” he said.
Sarma also recognized that many individuals are stranded in inaccessible areas. He provided an example of a patient who could not be evacuated due to difficult terrain and had to be placed in a battery-operated rickshaw.
The Chief Minister mentioned that rescue teams have attempted aerial operations using helicopters, but weather and terrain conditions have limited access to several regions.
Referring to the cloudburst incident in the neighboring state of Nagaland, he noted that the Nagaland administration had informed the Assam government immediately after the event. However, the sudden nature of the disaster left little room for preventive action.
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