Assam floods: death toll climbs to 80 as affected people near 2.12 lakh; relief package announced
Assam flood updates: death toll reaches 80, around 2.12 lakh people in eight districts are affected. The state government announces loan moratorium and other支援.
The death toll from recent floods in Assam rose to 80 on Thursday after two more people died, according to officials tracking the situation. The Assam State Disaster Management Authority said the flood conditions were better than on Wednesday, when more than three lakh people were affected.
Fewer districts, relief camps continue
Data from the Disaster Reporting and Information Management System shows the number of affected districts has reduced to eight. A total of 2,12,441 people across 437 villages in 21 revenue circles continue to be affected. The affected districts include Golaghat, Sivasagar, Biswanath, Charaideo, Kamrup (Metro), Jorhat, Dhemaji and Nagaon.
Charaideo is reported as the worst-hit district, with 77,456 people impacted, followed by Sivasagar with 71,232 and Jorhat with 39,447. The report also noted that 17,198.09 hectares of crop area remain submerged.
Loan relief for families and borrowers
Relief operations are continuing across affected areas. The state has 112 relief camps and relief distribution centres running. In these centres, 13,294 people are taking shelter in relief camps, while 62,289 people are receiving assistance through distribution centres.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a financial relief package for families affected by floods in Sivasagar, Charaideo, Golaghat and Jorhat. The package includes a six-month moratorium on loan repayments for borrowers under multiple categories, including housing, education and vehicle loans, crop loans, SHG loans, fisheries, poultry, piggery and dairy loans. The relief also covers loans for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
After the moratorium, the government said repayment tenure will be extended. Housing, education and vehicle loan repayment may be extended by up to one year, while crop and allied loans may get extensions of one to two years. For MSME loans, the repayment period may be extended from three years to seven years. The announcement also includes a collateral-free consumption loan of ₹10,000 for existing borrowers in affected districts. In addition, the government has sanctioned ₹1.5 lakh each for repair of damaged namghars in Sivasagar and Charaideo.
