Sonowal Reviews Assam Flood Relief Operations, Reaffirms Centre’s Full Support

GUWAHATI, July 25: Union Minister and former Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday reviewed ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts in flood affected areas of Assam, assuring residents that both the Central and state governments are working in close coordination to provide timely assistance to every affected family.

During his visit to relief camps in Sivasagar district, Sonowal met displaced residents, assessed the living conditions and interacted with families who have been forced to leave their homes due to widespread flooding. He directed district officials to maintain uninterrupted supplies of food, clean drinking water, healthcare facilities and other essential services for those taking shelter in relief camps.

The Union Minister stressed that relief operations must remain people centric, with special attention given to vulnerable groups such as children, women, senior citizens and persons with disabilities. He instructed local authorities to monitor the camps round the clock and ensure that no family is deprived of basic necessities during the ongoing crisis.

Addressing flood-affected residents, Sonowal said the Union Government remains fully committed to supporting Assam in every possible way until normalcy is restored.

He reiterated that disaster management agencies, health departments and district administrations are working together to strengthen relief measures and provide immediate assistance wherever required.

“The Government of India stands firmly with the people of Assam during this difficult period. Every effort is being made to ensure that healthcare, food supplies, safe drinking water and emergency support continue to reach all affected families without interruption,” Sonowal said.

Highlighting the importance of collective action during natural disasters, he said such crises test the resilience of communities while also demonstrating the strength of unity and compassion.

According to the minister, coordinated efforts involving government agencies, voluntary organisations and local communities will play a crucial role in helping affected families recover and rebuild their lives with dignity once floodwaters recede.

Earlier in the day, Sonowal flagged off a flood relief mission organised by the Assam Olympic Association from Dibrugarh. The initiative is aimed at delivering essential relief materials to families in the flood-hit districts of Charaideo, Sivasagar and Jorhat, where large areas remain submerged following heavy rainfall and overflowing rivers.

The relief mission includes the distribution of food items, drinking water, medicines, hygiene kits and other emergency supplies to people living in affected villages and temporary shelters.

Meanwhile, the overall flood situation in Assam continues to remain serious despite signs of improvement in some regions. Authorities said water levels have started receding in certain areas, offering temporary relief, but extensive inundation continues to affect thousands of households.

According to the latest official figures, the floods have claimed 61 lives, while more than 7.05 lakh people remain affected across nine districts of the state. Several villages are still cut off due to damaged roads and overflowing rivers, making relief distribution challenging in remote locations.

State disaster management teams, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel and local volunteers remain engaged in rescue, evacuation and relief operations. Medical teams have also been deployed to prevent outbreaks of waterborne diseases and provide healthcare support at relief camps.

The Assam government has appealed to residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert, follow official advisories and cooperate with rescue agencies until the flood situation stabilises. Authorities have assured that relief and rehabilitation efforts will continue on a priority basis to minimise hardship for affected communities.