GUWAHATI: The Indian Army has launched 'Operation Jal Rahat' to assist rescue and relief operations in flood-hit eastern Assam as the flood situation worsens across the state, while the Indian Air Force (IAF) has been kept on standby for rapid deployment if required.
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Multiple Army columns, along with personnel from the Assam Rifles, have been deployed in the worst-affected districts of Charaideo, Sivasagar and Jorhat to support civil authorities in rescue and relief operations.
Working in coordination with the state administration and disaster response agencies, the forces have already evacuated several stranded residents and are assisting ongoing relief efforts in flood-affected areas.
Floodwaters have severely disrupted infrastructure across eastern Assam. Rail connectivity has been affected after floodwaters damaged sections of railway tracks, while breaches in at least two embankments have triggered widespread inundation, affecting thousands of residents across several villages.
The Assam government has also stepped up its response to the crisis. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has deputed ministers Bimal Bora and Susanta Borgohain to the affected districts to supervise relief and rehabilitation efforts. The chief minister has also directed senior ministers to remain in the affected areas to monitor the situation and ensure timely assistance reaches affected families.
According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the flood situation deteriorated significantly on Sunday, July 19. One person died in Sivasagar, taking Assam's flood-related death toll this year to five.
ASDMA said more than 57,100 people have been affected across seven districts: Charaideo, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Sivasagar, Tinsukia and Udalguri.
The number of affected residents has more than doubled within 24 hours, rising from nearly 24,000 reported the previous day.
Charaideo remains the worst-affected district, with nearly 24,000 people impacted by the floods, followed by Dhemaji, where more than 22,000 residents have been affected. Dibrugarh has reported over 4,000 flood-affected people.
Relief camps have been set up in several locations, while rescue teams continue to evacuate stranded families and distribute food, drinking water and other essential supplies.
Authorities remain on high alert as forecasts of continued heavy rainfall raise concerns that the flood situation could worsen in the coming days.