Assam floods 2025: Amit Shah assures Centre's support to Himanta Sarma, 22,000 affected
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday telephoned Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to take stock of the flood situation in the state, assuring full support from the Centre as the first wave of monsoon floods continued to batter several districts, leaving over 22,000 people displaced or affected. The call came as Dhemaji emerged as the worst-hit district in the unfolding crisis.
What the Chief Minister Said
Chief Minister Sarma shared details of the conversation on social media, posting: 'I thank Hon'ble Home Minister Shri Amit Shah Ji for his phone call and enquiring about the flood situation in Dhemaji. I have briefed him on the relief and rehabilitation measures presently underway. He has also assured us all possible support and assistance from the Government of India to deal with this situation.'
The post confirmed that Shah was specifically briefed on conditions in Dhemaji, where incessant rainfall has triggered the most severe inundation of the season so far.
Scale of the Flood Damage
According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), 22,124 people across six districts — Dhemaji, Nalbari, Dibrugarh, Chirang, Lakhimpur, and Kokrajhar — have been affected following heavy rainfall in Assam and neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh.
Dhemaji alone accounts for 15,483 of those affected, with vast stretches of the district submerged. The ASDMA reported that floodwaters have engulfed 96 villages, damaged nearly 1,690 hectares of agricultural land, and impacted 48,199 livestock — a blow to thousands of farming households dependent on the current crop cycle.
Railway Bridge Collapse Disrupts Connectivity
The floods have also struck critical infrastructure. Heavy rainfall and erosion triggered the partial collapse of a railway bridge over the Simen River in Dhemaji district, after more than 110 mm of rainfall caused severe flooding and washed away a substantial portion of the riverbank supporting one of the bridge's piers.
The Northeast Frontier Railway subsequently suspended train movement between Archipathar and Simen Chapari stations, severing rail connectivity in the region. Restoration timelines have not yet been announced.
Rivers Running Above Danger Levels
The situation risks further deterioration. The Disang River in Sivasagar district is flowing above the danger level at Nanglamuraghat, raising concerns of additional inundation in low-lying areas if heavy rainfall persists in the coming days.
This is the first major flood wave of the 2025 monsoon season in Assam, a state that endures annual flooding along the Brahmaputra river system. Authorities have confirmed that relief and rehabilitation operations are underway across affected districts, with the administration on heightened alert given forecasts of continued heavy rainfall.
Relief Operations Underway
State and district administrations are conducting rescue and relief operations in all six affected districts. The ASDMA continues to monitor river levels and issue flood bulletins as the situation evolves. The Centre's assurance of support signals that national-level resources, including National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) assistance, may be mobilised if conditions worsen.