Army joins rescue ops; IAF on standby as flood situation in Assam deteriorates

The Indian Army has joined ongoing rescue efforts in Assam as the state grapples with worsening floods triggered by relentless rains over the past four days. The Indian Air Force (IAF) and central forces remain on standby, ready to assist if conditions escalate further. The disaster has intensified in several districts, with authorities reporting widespread damage and displacement. Heavy rainfall has persisted across much of Assam, with the India Meteorological Department forecasting more thunderstorms and rain on Monday. The heaviest downpours are expected in Golaghat, Sivasagar, Charaideo, Dibrugarh and Tinsukia, though the intensity is anticipated to ease by Wednesday. Flood warnings have been issued for seven districts, including Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat, Golaghat, Chirang, Dibrugarh and Tinsukia. These warnings come amid reports of river breaches, submersion of roads and disruption of critical infrastructure. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), 580 villages have been impacted by the floods, with over 10,362 hectares of farmland under water. The hardest hit regions include Charaideo, Sivasagar, Jorhat and Golaghat, where overflowing rivers have overwhelmed embankments, submerged highways and severed rail connections. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has ordered the deployment of the Army and IAF to aid rescue operations, directing ministers to visit flood-affected areas to oversee relief work and coordinate rescue efforts. He reiterated the government’s commitment to swift assistance for displaced residents and emphasized close monitoring of the evolving crisis. In specific incidents, the Jhanji River overflowed its banks near Nora Konwar Bailung, leading to the flooding of surrounding villages and destruction of homes. In Amguri, floodwaters inundated local markets, schools and a temporary civil hospital, severely hampering emergency response capabilities. In Teok, approximately 12 kilometers of the four-lane highway linking Jorhat and Jorhat-Jhanji was submerged, disrupting transportation. Meanwhile, the Dikhow River washed away a one-kilometer stretch of road in Nazira and damaged the railway link between Dibrugarh and Tinsukia. In Golaghat, rising waters of the Kaliyoni River entered parts of the Numaligarh Refinery, raising concerns about industrial safety. Urban centers such as Guwahati have also faced severe impacts, with neighborhoods like Zoo Tiniali, Hatigaon, Panjabari, Beltola Tiniali, Anil Nagar and Nabin Nagar experiencing waterlogging. To mitigate the situation, dewatering pumps have been deployed across the region. Rainfall measurements show that Sonari in Charaideo received 197.5 mm of rain between July 18 and 20, while Kukurmara-Mirza in Kamrup recorded 165.5 mm. Other notable figures include Bokakhat in Golaghat (130.5 mm), Guwahati (124.5 mm), and Mariyani in Jorhat (122 mm). The Central Water Commission has noted that the Brahmaputra, Burhidihing, Dikhow, Disang and Dhansiri rivers are currently above dangerous levels. This rise in water levels has been attributed to heavy rainfall in neighboring Mizoram, which has contributed to higher flows in rivers affecting Cachar and Sribhumi. The floods have caused extensive damage to railway infrastructure, with sections between Mariani and Simaluguri flooded. As a result, the Northeast Frontier Railway has had to divert multiple long-distance trains and established help desks at all affected stations. Arrangements have been made to provide food, water and ticket refunds to stranded passengers, with buses and vehicles deployed at Namtiali to transport them to Sibsagar Town railway station. Passenger and intercity services, including the Ledo-Guwahati Intercity Express, have been canceled due to the disruptions. The railways have also begun transporting 217 passengers who detrained from the Vivek Express at Selenghat by road to Mariani. Additional plans are in place to assist 570 passengers of the Kamrup Express and 490 passengers of the Amritsar-Tinsukia Express after they detrain at Mariani station. Several trains, including the Howrah-Dibrugarh Kamrup Express, Amritsar-New Tinsukia Express and New Delhi-Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express, have been shortened or diverted as part of the response.