Assam flood: ASDMA warns of severe Dikhow River levels in Sivasagar
Synopsis
The Dikhow River in Sivasagar is flowing just 0.09 metres below its all-time recorded high, sitting 1.86 metres above the danger mark — and the ASDMA has issued a time-bound public warning keeping residents away from the banks. With Assam's monsoon season far from over, the situation could worsen with fresh rainfall.
Key Takeaways
ASDMA issued a flood advisory for Dikhow River, Sivasagar on Friday, 25 July 2025 , valid from 9 am to 6 pm .
The river was recorded at 94.26 metres at 9 am — 1.86 metres above the danger level of 92.40 metres .
The level is just 0.09 metres below the previous highest flood level of 94.35 metres recorded on 2 July 2024 .
Despite a receding trend, the river remains in the severe flood category , posing a threat to low-lying areas.
Residents are advised against fishing, bathing, or any activity near the river; emergency teams are on standby.
The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) on Friday, 25 July 2025, issued a public advisory urging residents to stay away from the Dikhow River in Sivasagar district after the waterway continued to flow in a severe flood situation despite a gradual receding trend. The warning, effective from 9 am to 6 pm, came after the Central Water Commission (CWC) confirmed the river remained 1.86 metres above the designated danger level.
Current Water Levels and Flood Status
According to CWC data recorded at 9 am on Friday, the Dikhow River at Sivasagar was flowing at 94.26 metres — well above the danger mark of 92.40 metres. Although the level has begun to recede, it remains classified in the severe flood category, placing low-lying settlements along the riverbanks at continued risk.
Notably, the river was just 0.09 metres below its previous highest flood level (HFL) of 94.35 metres, recorded on 2 July 2024 — underscoring how close current conditions are to the worst on record for the site.
What the ASDMA Advisory Says
The ASDMA stated in its public notice: 'Due to the continuous increase in the water level of River Dikhow at Sivasagar in Sivasagar district of Assam, citizens are advised to stay away from the river.' Authorities specifically cautioned residents against approaching the river for fishing, bathing, or any other activity until conditions improve.
Officials added that the district administration and disaster management teams are maintaining a close watch on the river's behaviour and are fully prepared to escalate response measures should fresh rainfall push water levels higher.
Emergency Response and Monitoring
Emergency response teams have been deployed and are on standby across vulnerable stretches of the Dikhow's banks. Residents in low-lying areas have been asked to follow official advisories strictly, refrain from circulating unverified information, and report any flood-related emergency immediately to the local administration or disaster management authorities.
This comes amid a broader pattern of annual flood distress in Assam, where dozens of rivers routinely breach danger levels during the monsoon season, affecting millions across the state's flood-prone districts. The Brahmaputra river system — of which the Dikhow is a tributary — has historically made Sivasagar one of the more vulnerable districts in the region.
What Residents Should Do
Authorities have urged people living near the river to avoid all non-essential contact with the waterway until the ASDMA issues a formal all-clear. Anyone witnessing a flood-related emergency is asked to contact the local administration or dial the disaster management helpline immediately. The situation will continue to be reviewed as rainfall patterns evolve over the coming days.
Point of View
But it highlights a structural problem: Assam issues hundreds of such river-level warnings every monsoon season, and they rarely translate into sustained flood-resilience investment. The Dikhow at Sivasagar coming within 0.09 metres of its 2024 all-time high — in the same month, a year later — is not a coincidence; it reflects unchanged catchment conditions and upstream deforestation. Until embankment reinforcement and early-warning infrastructure in Sivasagar receive multi-year funding rather than reactive advisories, the cycle will repeat. The real accountability question is not whether warnings were issued, but whether last year's near-peak level triggered any structural mitigation.
NationPress
24 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the ASDMA issued a flood warning for the Dikhow River?
The ASDMA issued the advisory because the Dikhow River at Sivasagar was flowing at 94.26 metres — 1.86 metres above the danger level of 92.40 metres — as of 9 am on Friday. Although water levels have begun to recede, the river remains in the severe flood category, posing a risk to residents and low-lying areas along its banks.
How serious is the current flood situation at Sivasagar?
The situation is classified as a severe flood, with the Dikhow River just 0.09 metres below its previous highest flood level of 94.35 metres recorded on 2 July 2024. Authorities have deployed emergency response teams and are monitoring the river continuously.
What are residents near the Dikhow River advised to do?
Residents are advised to stay away from the river entirely and avoid fishing, bathing, or any other activity along its banks until the flood situation improves. They should follow official advisories, not spread rumours, and immediately report emergencies to the local administration or disaster management authorities.
How long does the ASDMA warning remain in effect?
The advisory is effective from 9 am to 6 pm on Friday, 25 July 2025. Authorities have said the situation is under continuous review and may issue further updates depending on rainfall and river behaviour.
Which agency is monitoring the Dikhow River water levels?
The Central Water Commission (CWC) is monitoring water levels at the Dikhow River in Sivasagar and is providing real-time data to the ASDMA and district administration to guide their flood response decisions.
