Assam floods: Power bill waiver for Sivasagar, Charaideo; 82 dead, 7 districts hit
Synopsis
With 82 lives lost and over 1.78 lakh people still displaced, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has moved to ease the financial burden on flood survivors — waiving July electricity bills for domestic consumers using up to 300 units in Sivasagar and Charaideo, funded through the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. Seven districts remain under water.
Key Takeaways
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a waiver of July electricity bills for domestic consumers using up to 300 units in Sivasagar and Charaideo on 1 August .
The cost will be covered through the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF) .
Seven districts — Golaghat, Sivasagar, Charaideo, Bajali, Dhemaji, Sonitpur , and Jorhat — remain flood-affected.
1,78,837 people across 349 villages are still displaced; 15,060 hectares of cropland damaged.
The cumulative flood death toll in Assam stands at 82 this year, with no fresh casualties in the last 24 hours .
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday, 1 August announced a waiver of July electricity bills for domestic consumers using up to 300 units in the flood-hit districts of Sivasagar and Charaideo, as the state's cumulative flood death toll this year climbed to 82. The cost will be borne by the government through the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF).
Current Flood Situation
According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the flood situation has improved marginally but remains serious. Seven districts — Golaghat, Sivasagar, Charaideo, Bajali, Dhemaji, Sonitpur, and Jorhat — continue to be affected. A total of 1,78,837 people across 349 villages are still submerged, and 15,060 hectares of cropland have been damaged.
No fresh human casualty was reported in the last 24 hours, keeping the death toll steady at 82 for the year.
What the Government Announced
Chief Minister Sarma made the relief announcement through a post on social media platform X. 'One less worry for families rebuilding after the Assam floods. Domestic consumers using up to 300 units in Sivasagar and Charaideo will not have to pay their July electricity bills, with the government bearing the cost through the CMRF,' he said.
This comes amid thousands of families in Upper Assam continuing to recover from widespread inundation caused by heavy rainfall in upper catchment areas and overflowing rivers.
Relief and Rehabilitation Efforts
Officials said relief distribution and restoration work are actively underway across the worst-affected districts. District administrations have been directed to ensure uninterrupted supply of essential commodities and drinking water for displaced and affected families.
Authorities are also conducting assessments of damage to roads, public infrastructure, and agriculture to facilitate restoration and compensation. Embankments and damaged infrastructure are being closely monitored.
What Happens Next
Authorities have warned that the flood situation will continue to be monitored, particularly in riverine areas vulnerable to fresh spells of rainfall in the coming days. The state government has intensified relief operations in the worst-hit zones as recovery efforts gather pace.
Point of View
But it covers only two of the seven affected districts — raising the question of why Golaghat, Bajali, Dhemaji, Sonitpur, and Jorhat were excluded despite similar flood exposure. Assam has faced recurring annual flood cycles for decades, yet the response remains largely reactive: relief waivers and commodity distribution rather than structural investment in embankment reinforcement and early-warning infrastructure. With 82 deaths already recorded and riverine areas still at risk, the real accountability test is whether this season accelerates any long-term flood-mitigation commitment from the state.
NationPress
2 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which districts got the electricity bill waiver in Assam floods?
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the waiver for domestic consumers using up to 300 units in Sivasagar and Charaideo only. The cost will be borne by the government through the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF).
How many people are affected by the Assam floods currently?
According to the ASDMA, 1,78,837 people across 349 villages in seven districts remain affected as of 1 August. The seven districts are Golaghat, Sivasagar, Charaideo, Bajali, Dhemaji, Sonitpur, and Jorhat.
What is the flood death toll in Assam this year?
The cumulative flood death toll in Assam stands at 82 for the year. No fresh casualty was reported in the 24 hours preceding the 1 August update.
How much agricultural land has been damaged in the Assam floods?
A total of 15,060 hectares of cropland have been damaged across the affected districts. Damage assessment for roads, public infrastructure, and agriculture is underway to facilitate compensation and restoration.
What relief measures is the Assam government taking for flood victims?
Beyond the electricity bill waiver, the state has intensified relief distribution and directed district administrations to ensure uninterrupted supply of essential commodities and drinking water. Embankments and damaged infrastructure are being monitored, and rehabilitation assessments are ongoing.
