Assam Flash Floods Leave Families Searching as Death Toll Rises

Overview

• The flash flood that struck Nepalikhuti on July 19 sent a sudden wall of water and logs from the Dikhow River through homes, collapsing houses and sweeping people onto roofs.
• Families continue daily searches for missing relatives, including four- to five-year-old Radhika, whose father Devaram (Debiram) Panikar remains hopeful, and Tileswari Boro Karmakar, who has not been found despite official searches.
• Rescue teams are still recovering bodies from mud and slush and residents report foul smells and heavy debris that are slowing recovery operations.
• State authorities say the flood toll has reached 87 and about 130,000 people remain affected even as water levels recede across much of the state.
• The India Meteorological Department has issued a Yellow Alert for Nagaland that may bring rain to Sivasagar and could slow relief work while increasing the risk of waterborne disease from contaminated debris.