Dibrugarh: Assam’s flood death toll has risen to 85, with more than 1.36 lakh people continuing to reel under floodwaters across seven districts.

Although floodwaters have begun to recede in some areas, thousands remain displaced, agricultural land is still submerged, and the state government has intensified relief, rehabilitation and long-term mitigation efforts.

Sivasagar remains one of the worst-affected districts. While floodwaters have started to recede, residents continue to face severe hardships.

According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority’s flood report dated August 2, as many as 24,460 animals have been affected by the current wave of flooding.

The figure includes 13,835 large animals, 9,754 small animals and 871 poultry birds, highlighting the scale of distress among livestock-dependent households.

Dhemaji is the worst-hit district, with 10,527 affected animals, including 6,310 cattle and buffaloes and more than 4,000 goats, sheep and other small livestock. Golaghat follows with 9,077 affected animals, while Jorhat has reported 3,114 and Sivasagar 1,742, including 851 poultry birds.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday distributed interim flood relief to affected families at a programme held at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Dibrugarh.

Under the initiative, the state government will provide around ₹112 crore as interim financial assistance to nearly 75,000 flood-affected families. Each eligible family will receive ₹15,000, which will be credited directly to their bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

Flood-affected beneficiaries from Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat districts participated in the programme virtually. The financial assistance will be disbursed to eligible beneficiaries in these four districts between August 3 and August 5.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Keshab Mahanta, Labour Welfare Minister Rameswar Teli, MLAs Prashanta Phukan, Binod Hazarika and Sanjay Kishan, Dibrugarh Deputy Commissioner Bikram Kairi, along with other officials, were present at the programme.

Following the event, the Chief Minister left for Sivasagar to review the flood situation and interact with affected people.

Bollywood actor Randeep Hooda also joined a relief distribution programme in Sivasagar district and appealed for support for flood-affected people in Assam.

Hooda distributed rations and other essential supplies among flood victims and highlighted the challenges faced by families who continue to remain stranded in several areas due to deep floodwaters.

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