Assam Flood Losses Estimated at ₹480 Crore; Over 26,000 Houses Damaged: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

Floods in Assam last month caused an estimated ₹480 crore in total structural and property damage and affected at least 26,681 houses across the state, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced at a press conference on Monday.

Providing an update on relief efforts, Sarma stated that 96,842 flood-hit families have each received an interim financial assistance package of ₹15,000, with the state government disbursing ₹146.26 crore so far.He added that an additional 3,000 to 4,000 families are expected to receive the relief payout shortly.

Rapid Assessment and Relief Timeline

Rapid damage assessments are currently underway across four severely affected Upper Assam districts: Charaideo, Sivasagar, Jorhat, and Golaghat.

• Phase 2 Completion:The second phase of the damage assessment survey is scheduled to conclude on September 10 or 11.
• Grievance Redressal:If residents submit complaints or dispute coverage, team surveyors will execute a third phase of damage assessment.
• Target Payout Date:The state aims to release final compensation packages to all verified families before Durga Puja.

“Our target is to release the flood damage amount to the flood-affected families before Durga Puja… My instructions to officials are clear: no one gets left behind, speed is non-negotiable, and there is zero tolerance for a lackadaisical approach.”

— Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister of Assam

Expedited Housing & Ground Restoration

Following high-level consultations with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state government will fast-track the construction of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) housing units for eligible beneficiaries in the worst-hit areas of Charaideo and Sivasagar.

Following a comprehensive Sunday review meeting with district officials, Sarma outlined several key infrastructure and welfare initiatives currently in progress:

Focus Area	Status & Action Plan
Damage Survey	75% completed with over 1,000 field surveyors deployed.
Interim Aid	Nearly ₹150 crore disbursed; remaining claims to clear immediately.
Education Infrastructure	793 damaged schools under repair to facilitate quick resumption of classes.
De-watering Efforts	High-capacity industrial pumps operating 24/7 in inundated areas of Sivasagar.
Healthcare & Agriculture	Mobile health camps expanded; medical/veterinary surveillance active to track disease outbreaks.
Financial Relief	Bank moratoriums and insurance claim processes reviewed; policyholders urged to file by August 30.

The state government previously announced an overall expenditure plan of approximately ₹1,000 crore dedicated to long-term rebuilding, emergency relief, and rehabilitation.The unexpected deluge has severely affected regions across Upper Assam since July 19.