Assam Floods – Villagers Risk Everything to Rescue Over 1,000 Stranded Residents
Assam Floods –Residents from several villages in Assam displayed remarkable courage after rapidly rising floodwaters forced them to abandon their own homes and focus on rescuing hundreds of families trapped in submerged areas.
Local Communities Lead Massive Rescue Effort
More than 1,000 people trapped by fast-rising floodwaters were brought to safety by residents from four to five neighbouring villages after severe flooding engulfed the Nepali Khuti area in Assam’s Sivasagar district. With official rescue teams yet to reach every affected location, local volunteers quickly launched rescue operations using boats to evacuate families stranded in deep water.
Many of the rescuers left behind their homes and personal belongings as they responded to urgent calls for help from nearby villages. Their swift action prevented the situation from becoming even more critical as floodwaters continued to spread across the region.
Rising Water Left Little Time to React
Among those involved in the rescue mission was local resident Sohan Chaudhary, who described how rapidly the floodwaters advanced. He said the water level increased so quickly that there was no opportunity to think about protecting their own property before helping others in danger.
According to him, villagers immediately arranged boats after seeing people standing in deep water. Only after completing the rescue operations did many realise that their own houses had already been flooded. He said the combined efforts of local volunteers helped save more than 1,000 people from several nearby villages.
Families Moved to Safety Before Wider Rescue Mission
Another volunteer, Kanhaiya Chaudhary, recalled that he and others had initially gone to collect floating timber before noticing the river swelling at an alarming rate. Recognising the growing danger, they abandoned that task and warned everyone to return home.
He explained that rescuers first ensured their own children and family members reached safer locations. They had planned to return and recover household belongings, but repeated requests for help from stranded residents changed their priorities. Parents desperately called for assistance to rescue children trapped across the flooded areas, prompting volunteers to leave their possessions behind and continue evacuation efforts.
Flood Situation Continues Across Assam
Flooding remains a major concern in several parts of Assam, with official data showing that five districts continue to face the impact of the ongoing deluge. The affected districts include Golaghat, Jorhat, Sivasagar, Charaideo, and Dhemaji.
Authorities reported that flooding has affected 21 revenue circles and around 335 villages. More than 136,000 people have been impacted by the disaster, while nearly 15,422 hectares of agricultural land have suffered damage, creating serious challenges for farmers and rural communities.
Casualties Reported as Relief Work Continues
Officials confirmed that three people have lost their lives in Sivasagar district due to the flooding. Two others from the same district remain missing, and search efforts are continuing. Authorities also stated that no urban areas have been officially classified as affected by urban flooding during the current situation.
The state administration is closely monitoring conditions while relief distribution and rehabilitation work continue across the affected districts. Assam Minister Pijush Hazarika recently visited the Demow and Nazira Assembly constituencies in Sivasagar district to assess ongoing relief measures and review the rehabilitation activities being carried out by the district administration.