Assam floods 2025: Gaurav Gogoi slams Sarma govt over relief delays, 41 dead
Synopsis
With 41 dead and lakhs displaced, Assam Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi has gone on the offensive — accusing the Sarma government of leaving flood survivors without food, water, or disinfectants days after the deluge. His ground visit to Jorhat, Sivasagar, and Charaideo adds weight to the charge, even as volunteers reportedly fill the gap left by a slow administration.
Key Takeaways
Assam Congress President Gaurav Gogoi accused the CM Himanta Biswa Sarma -led government of delayed flood relief on 23 July 2025 .
The floods have claimed 41 lives and displaced lakhs of residents , with several people still missing.
Gogoi personally visited Jorhat , Sivasagar , and Charaideo districts and alleged relief operations were inadequate.
Affected families reportedly face shortages of food, drinking water, clothing, and disinfectants including phenyl and bleaching powder.
Gogoi has demanded a transparent casualty account from the Assam government and Central deployment of technical experts for rebuilding and agricultural restoration.
Youth and Gen Z volunteers are reportedly filling relief gaps by distributing supplies and cooking meals for hundreds of families daily.
Assam Congress President Gaurav Gogoi on Thursday, 23 July publicly accused the Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma-led government of failing to mount an adequate response to the ongoing flood crisis in Assam, alleging that thousands of displaced families across the state were still waiting for basic relief materials days after the deluge struck.
What Gogoi Alleged
Describing the situation as an 'unprecedented humanitarian crisis', Gogoi claimed the floods have so far claimed 41 lives, with several people still reported missing. He said lakhs of residents have been displaced, many left homeless and struggling to cope with the disaster's aftermath.
According to Gogoi, flood-affected families in multiple districts were facing acute shortages of food rations, safe drinking water, clothing, and disinfectants such as phenyl and bleaching powder — supplies critical to preventing disease outbreaks in waterlogged areas.
Ground Assessment: Districts Visited
Gogoi, who also serves as Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, said he personally toured some of the worst-hit districts — including Jorhat, Sivasagar, and Charaideo — to assess conditions on the ground. Based on that visit, he alleged that relief operations had been inadequate and that local administration had failed to ensure timely distribution of emergency supplies.
Demands on the BJP Government and the Centre
The Congress MP called on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Assam to publish a transparent account of flood casualties and ensure relief reaches every affected household without further delay. He also appealed to the Central government to deploy a team of technical experts to assist in rebuilding damaged homes and restoring agricultural activities that have suffered extensive losses.
Volunteers Filling the Gap
Gogoi acknowledged the efforts of youth groups and Gen Z volunteers who have stepped forward to distribute relief materials and prepare meals for hundreds of families daily. He urged Congress workers and party office-bearers across Assam to actively join relief and rehabilitation efforts, particularly in the worst-hit districts of Upper Assam.
The Sarma government had not issued an immediate public response to Gogoi's allegations at the time of reporting. With flood waters yet to fully recede across several districts, the scale of humanitarian need is expected to grow in the coming days.
Point of View
Sivasagar, and Charaideo, combined with itemised shortages (phenyl, bleaching powder, drinking water), makes this harder to dismiss as political theatre. The more pointed demand — a transparent casualty count — signals distrust of official figures, which is significant given that Assam's flood death tallies have historically been contested. The Centre's silence on deploying technical experts for agricultural restoration is the thread to watch: Assam's rural economy absorbs flood damage for seasons, not weeks, and that slower crisis rarely gets the same political attention as the immediate death toll.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people have died in the Assam floods according to Gaurav Gogoi?
According to Gogoi, the Assam floods have claimed 41 lives as of his statement on 23 July, with several people still reported missing. He urged the state government to publish a transparent account of all casualties.
Which districts did Gaurav Gogoi visit to assess the flood situation?
Gogoi said he toured Jorhat , Sivasagar , and Charaideo — among the worst-affected districts — to personally assess relief operations on the ground. He concluded that local administration had failed to ensure timely distribution of emergency supplies.
What relief shortages did Gogoi highlight in flood-affected Assam?
Gogoi alleged that displaced families were facing shortages of food rations, safe drinking water, clothing, and disinfectants such as phenyl and bleaching powder — supplies essential to preventing disease outbreaks in waterlogged areas.
What did Gogoi demand from the Central government?
Gogoi appealed to the Central government to deploy a team of technical experts to help rebuild damaged homes and restore agricultural activities that have suffered extensive losses due to the flooding.
What role are volunteers playing in Assam flood relief?
According to Gogoi, youth groups and Gen Z volunteers have stepped up to distribute relief materials and prepare meals for hundreds of families daily, reportedly filling gaps left by inadequate official relief operations.
