GUWAHATI — In a major financial relief measure for victims of the ongoing deluge, the Assam government has announced a six-month moratorium on loan repayments for residents across the four worst-hit districts of the state. The decision comes even as two fresh fatalities in Sivasagar district pushed the total death toll from this year’s flood wave to 80.
Announcing the decision following a special meeting of the State Level Bankers' Committee (SLBC)—which included senior officials from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), NABARD, State Bank of India (SBI), and commercial banks—Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that the repayment freeze will apply to borrowers in Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat, and Golaghat districts.
"The SLBC has decided to offer a six-month moratorium to all flood-affected borrowers in these four districts," Chief Minister Sarma said during a live address. He clarified that financial institutions will individually assess affected customers to ensure relief reaches those genuine victims, while appealing to non-affected residents in these districts to maintain their regular EMI schedules.
Financial Relief & Tenure Extensions
Under the newly approved relief package, banks have also been authorized to extend loan repayment tenures from one year up to seven years, depending on the debt profile and category of the borrower.
Addressing the heavy losses suffered by small-scale commercial establishments, Chief Minister Sarma announced that retail shopkeepers whose businesses were completely devastated by floodwaters will be eligible for an additional top-up loan of ₹10,000 without requirement for fresh collateral or mortgages.
Furthermore, the state government announced a one-time grant of ₹1.5 lakh to each damaged Namghar—traditional Vaishnavite places of worship—in the severely impacted Sivasagar and Charaideo districts to aid structural restoration.
Ground Situation & Casualty Updates
According to the latest bulletin issued by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), two drowning fatalities were reported from Sivasagar district over a 24-hour period, including a young boy, taking the state's total casualty count to 80.
While total affected populations show signs of gradual decline—dropping to 2.12 lakh from over 3 lakh earlier in the week—conditions remain critical across affected pockets:
Charaideo: Remains the worst-affected district with nearly 80,000 residents impacted.
Sivasagar: Approximately 71,000 people remain affected.
Jorhat: Around 40,000 individuals continue to deal with floodwaters.
District administrations are currently operating 112 relief camps and distribution centers across the impacted regions, providing shelter, food, and basic necessities to over 75,500 displaced citizens.
High-Level Inspections and Central Assurances
Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya conducted an aerial survey of flood-ravaged zones in Sivasagar, Charaideo, and Jorhat to assess structural damage and loss of livelihood.
Visiting multiple relief camps in Sivasagar, Governor Acharya inspected healthcare setups, drinking water distribution, and sanitation facilities while interacting directly with displaced families. Assuring citizens of full administrative backup, the Governor highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are personally monitoring ground developments and ensuring prompt central assistance to support Assam's rehabilitation efforts.
