The flood situation in Assam remains dire, with over 6.71 lakh people impacted across 20 districts in the second wave of flooding this year.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) played a crucial role, rescuing 13 stranded fishermen from the heavily affected Dibrugarh district on Tuesday, an official stated.
The Brahmaputra and 12 other major rivers are flowing above the danger mark at various locations.
The state's weather forecast predicts heavy to very heavy rainfall in several districts, further exacerbating the flood situation, according to an official bulletin.
The fishermen were stranded in Hatia Ali, a 'char' (sandbar) area in Dibrugarh. Their rescue was facilitated by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), which requested the IAF's assistance.
"ASDMA requested IAF to airlift these 13 stranded fishermen. All the expenditure for airlifting the people will be borne by ASDMA," the official noted.
The IAF, sharing pictures of the rescue operation on social media, wrote: "#IAF rescued 13 marooned survivors from a small island in the flooded Brahmaputra, north of Dibrugarh in Assam. On 2 Jul 24, after a sunrise takeoff, a Mi-17 IV helicopter from AFS Mohanbari flew in challenging weather conditions and undertook rescue ops from a marshy piece of land."
The coordinated efforts of the pilot and flight gunner ensured prompt and safe boarding of the 13 survivors, it added.
Emergency first aid was provided to the rescued individuals by the IAF. This rescue operation follows a similar mission on Sunday when the IAF saved eight State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel and a revenue official stranded during relief operations in Jonai, Dhemaji district.
Dibrugarh remains one of the most severely affected districts, with the major town in Upper Assam submerged for the sixth consecutive day.
According to an ASDMA bulletin, 6,71,167 people are reeling under floodwaters in 67 revenue circles across 20 districts including Biswanath, Cachar, Charaideo, Darrang, Chirang, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Golaghat, Jorhat, Kamrup, Lakhimpur, Sivasagar, Sonitpur, Morigaon, Nagaon, Majuli, Karimganj, Tamulpur, Tinsukia, and Nalbari.
The death toll from this year's floods, storms, and landslides has risen to 46, with one fatality reported in the last 24 hours.
The Brahmaputra is flowing above the danger mark at Neamatighat (Jorhat), Tezpur (Sonitpur), Guwahati (Kamrup), and Dhubri (Dhubri).
Other major rivers breaching danger levels include Subansiri at Badatighat (Lakhimpur), Burhidihing at Chenimari (Dibrugarh), Dikhou at Sivasagar, Disang at Nanglamuraghat (Sivasagar), Dhansiri at Numaligarh (Golaghat), Jia-Bharali at NT Road Crossing (Sonitpur), Kopili at Kampur (Nagaon), Puthimari at NH Road Crossing (Kamrup), Beki at Barpeta Road Bridge, Dhaleswari (Hailakandi), Kushiyara (Karimganj), and the Barak river at BP Ghat.
The Regional Meteorological Centre in Borjhar, Guwahati, has issued an alert for potential heavy to very heavy rain in isolated areas over Goalpara, Bongaigaon, Karbi Anglong, and Dima Hasao. In response to the worsening conditions, 8,142 people are taking shelter in 72 relief camps spread across the affected districts.
For ongoing relief and rescue operations, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed in Cachar, Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Golaghat, Majuli, and Lakhimpur.
Additionally, SDRF, fire and emergency services, police forces, and AAPDA Mitra Volunteers from ASDMA are aiding district administrations in flood-affected areas. The Indian Army is also actively participating in relief efforts, particularly in Golaghat district.
A total of 614 SDRF personnel, including 159 deep divers, with 295 boats have been deployed in 54 locations.
Reports indicate breaches in embankments in Golaghat, Jorhat, Nagaon, and Majuli, alongside damage to other infrastructure, such as roads, according to the ASDMA bulletin.
Kaziranga National Park has not been spared, with 95 out of 233 forest camps inundated.
In response, the Golaghat district administration has issued prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), restricting vehicular movement on NH-37 (New NH-715) and limiting vehicle speeds to between 20 and 40 km/hour.
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