GUWAHATI: As floodwaters continued to rise across Upper Assam, the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) on Monday, July 20, issued a public advisory asking people to stay away from the River Dikhow and avoid low-lying riverbank areas in Sivasagar, while rescue teams intensified evacuation and relief operations across the worst-hit districts of Sivasagar, Charaideo and Jorhat.
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ASDMA also issued a separate public alert for Golaghat district, advising residents to stay away from the River Dhansiri (South) at Numaligarh and avoid venturing into low-lying riverbank areas as water levels continue to rise.
Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Fire & Emergency Services, the Indian Army and district administrations have been deployed to rescue stranded residents and provide relief in flood-affected areas.
In Sivasagar, the SDRF and Fire & Emergency Services have rescued 510 people from inundated areas as of Monday morning. Additional rescue boats and Indian Army helicopters have been deployed to reach villages cut off by floodwaters.
In Charaideo, personnel from the NDRF, SDRF and the Indian Army have been deployed in the worst-affected locations, while relief measures are continuing to ensure the safety and well-being of affected residents.
Authorities are also carrying out flood-fighting works along vulnerable stretches in Sivasagar, Charaideo and Jorhat to prevent further damage to embankments. Sand-filled bags are being laid along the Dikhow embankment, piping at the Disang embankment in Baruahchuk is being addressed, Type-B geobags are being dumped at Santipur to restore the Disang riverbank, and protection works are underway at the Jhanji embankment in Norakonwar Bailung Gaon.
The flood situation in Assam worsened on Sunday, with four people reported dead and more than 57,000 people affected across seven districts, according to officials. Authorities have urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert, follow official advisories and cooperate with rescue teams until the situation improves.