Assam CM Himanta Sarma flags Nagaland mining-flood link, demands scientific study
Synopsis
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has refused to pre-judge the Nagaland mining-flood link — demanding a scientific study instead — while visiting flood-battered Sivasagar and Charaideo. With nearly one lakh victims already verified and house surveys starting 9 August, the state is in full relief mode even as the deeper question of what is driving the floods remains unanswered.
Key Takeaways
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma visited flood-hit Sivasagar and Charaideo districts on 4 August .
Sarma will raise concerns about Nagaland mining activities with the Centre , but insists only a scientific study can establish the flood link.
Nearly one lakh flood-affected beneficiaries have been identified and verified by district administrations.
House damage surveys begin 9 August to facilitate early distribution of financial assistance.
The state will request NHIDCL to build additional cross-drainage structures where highways have blocked natural water flow.
High Brahmaputra water levels are slowing drainage in waterlogged localities.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday, 4 August said his government will formally raise with the Centre concerns that mining activities in neighbouring Nagaland may be contributing to recurring floods in parts of Assam, while making clear that only a scientific inquiry — not speculation — can establish causality. Sarma made the remarks during a visit to flood-hit Sivasagar and Charaideo districts.
What Sarma Said
'I am the Chief Minister of Assam. I cannot stop mining in Nagaland. I will raise the issue with the Centre. There is no illegal mining in Assam. We need a scientific study to determine the actual cause of the problem,' Sarma said during the visit.
He noted that Nagaland itself has experienced flooding — a detail he cited as evidence that the situation demands a thorough technical assessment rather than premature conclusions. The state government, he said, will await expert findings before committing to any long-term intervention.
Ground Assessment in Sivasagar and Charaideo
During his field visit, Sarma reviewed the flood situation directly with affected residents in Sivasagar and Charaideo, assuring them of continued government support through the rehabilitation phase. He announced that from 9 August, district officials will begin a detailed survey of flood-damaged houses to expedite financial assistance. Nearly one lakh flood-affected beneficiaries have already been identified and verified by district administrations and the state government.
Brahmaputra Levels and Drainage Delays
Sarma attributed persistent waterlogging in several localities to the unusually high water level of the Brahmaputra river, which he said has significantly slowed the drainage of floodwater from low-lying areas. This comes amid one of the more prolonged inundation cycles in the region in recent years, with multiple districts reporting extended submersion.
Infrastructure Fixes Planned
The Chief Minister said the state government will request the National Highways Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) to build additional cross-drainage structures at points where highway construction has obstructed the natural flow of water. He also said embankments will be raised in vulnerable areas wherever residents make land available, underlining that community participation will be central to strengthening Assam's long-term flood mitigation framework.
The government's next steps — including the outcome of its representation to the Centre and the commissioning of a scientific study — will be closely watched as the flood season continues.
Point of View
But it also conveniently defers accountability — both his own and Nagaland's. The inter-state dimension of the mining-flood allegation is real and politically delicate: Assam has no jurisdiction over Nagaland's extractive industries, and the Centre has historically moved slowly on such cross-border environmental disputes. Meanwhile, the Brahmaputra's flood cycle is worsening year on year, and the recurring pattern of relief visits, beneficiary lists, and embankment promises has not visibly reduced Assam's flood vulnerability. The scientific study, if commissioned, must be time-bound and independent — or it risks becoming another procedural delay in a state that has been managing floods reactively for decades.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Assam raising the Nagaland mining issue with the Centre?
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has said allegations are circulating that mining activities in Nagaland may be contributing to floods in parts of Assam. Since Assam has no legal authority over Nagaland's mining operations, Sarma has said he will escalate the matter to the Centre and seek a scientific study to determine whether a causal link exists.
How many flood victims have been identified in Assam so far?
Nearly one lakh flood-affected beneficiaries have been identified by district administrations in Assam and the list has been verified by the state government. House damage surveys are scheduled to begin from 9 August to facilitate financial assistance.
What is causing the waterlogging in Assam's flood-hit districts?
Assam CM Sarma attributed prolonged waterlogging to unusually high water levels in the Brahmaputra river, which has slowed the drainage of floodwater from low-lying areas in Sivasagar and Charaideo districts.
What infrastructure steps is the Assam government taking to address flooding?
The state government plans to request NHIDCL to construct additional cross-drainage structures at locations where highway infrastructure has obstructed natural water flow. Embankments will also be built in vulnerable areas where residents provide land, with community participation highlighted as essential.
Will Assam stop mining in Nagaland to prevent floods?
No. Sarma has explicitly stated that Assam has no legal jurisdiction to stop mining operations in Nagaland. The state's position is to raise the concern with the Centre and await the findings of a scientific study before drawing conclusions or taking action.
