GUWAHATI — The flood situation in Assam continues to remain grim as two additional deaths were reported on Friday, pushing the season's overall death toll to 97. According to official reports, over 1.68 lakh residents spanning 15 districts across the state remain impacted by the widespread deluge.

The latest fatalities were registered in Golaghat and Udalguri districts. Officials confirmed that inundated conditions have spread across Golaghat, Sivasagar, Udalguri, Kamrup Metropolitan, Nagaon, Kamrup, Darrang, Sonitpur, Hojai, Lakhimpur, Biswanath, Jorhat, Charaideo, Karbi Anglong, and Dhemaji districts.

Golaghat and Sivasagar Worst Impacted

Data released by local administrative bodies and detailed in coverage by ETV Bharat indicates that Golaghat is currently the worst-hit region, with approximately 54,000 residents affected by the floodwaters. It is closely followed by Sivasagar district, where nearly 49,000 people are suffering from the deluge, and Jorhat, where around 27,000 residents are reeling from waterlogging.

The total count of flood-affected citizens rose from 1.6 lakh across 14 districts earlier in the week to more than 1.68 lakh across 15 districts as low-lying areas experienced further overflow.

To manage the humanitarian crisis, local administrations are currently operating 133 relief camps and distribution centers across six districts. These facilities are providing temporary shelter, food, and emergency supplies to around 45,000 displaced citizens.

Infrastructure Damage and Agricultural Loss

The persistent flooding has inflicted heavy damage on Assam's agricultural sector and critical public infrastructure. Official assessments confirm that 14,382.26 hectares of cropland remain completely submerged.

Additionally, overflowing rivers and intense runoff have caused extensive breaches in embankments, destroyed roads, damaged bridges, and disrupted electrical and civic utilities across multiple districts. Monitoring reports from the Assam State Disaster Management Authority continue to track water levels in major tributaries, including the Dhansiri river.

Limited Train Services Restored in Upper Assam

In a major relief for transport and logistics in the state, damaged railway tracks between Selenghat, Amguri, Simaluguri, and Sivasagar Town were successfully restored and reopened for limited traffic.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed the development, noting that direct rail connectivity between Guwahati and Dibrugarh via Lumding and Sivasagar has resumed. The Chief Minister expressed gratitude to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and officials from the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) for expediting repairs on the vital link.

According to a official statement from NFR, General Manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava personally inspected the restored tracks, bridges, and surrounding railway infrastructure. During the visual assessment, authorities noted that several displaced villagers, along with their families and livestock, have been forced to take temporary refuge along elevated railway embankments due to the surrounding floodwaters.

Taking safety and humanitarian concerns into consideration, NFR authorities decided to run diesel locomotive-hauled trains on the restored stretches at restricted speeds to avoid electrical hazards or accidents near temporary shelters. Long-distance services and passenger trains, including the Nagaland Express and Intercity Express trains, are operating via diverted routes or special arrangements until ground conditions stabilize.