The death toll from the devastating floods sweeping India's northeastern state of Assam has risen to 82, with two people still missing, as authorities continue large-scale rescue and relief operations across the flood-ravaged region.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Saturday that the worst-hit district was Sivasagar, which recorded 42 fatalities. Charaideo reported 21 deaths, while Jorhat accounted for nine, with the remaining casualties reported across several other districts.

According to state officials, the floods have inundated 2,251 villages, affecting more than 1.1 million people. Thousands of families have been displaced after rivers overflowed following days of intense monsoon rainfall.

Government data showed that at least 2,530 homes have been completely destroyed, while another 9,668 houses have sustained partial damage, leaving many families without shelter.

Authorities have established 218 relief camps accommodating 71,889 displaced residents, while 1,811 relief distribution centers are providing food, drinking water, medicines, and other essential supplies to affected communities.

"Relief operations continue to expand across the state, with the number of relief distribution centers increasing to 1,811 now," Sarma said.

"Every effort remains focused on relief, rehabilitation and restoring normalcy," he added.

The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), together with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the Indian Army, and local emergency agencies, continues to conduct rescue operations in inundated areas, evacuating stranded residents by boats and delivering humanitarian assistance to isolated villages.

Floodwaters have submerged vast stretches of agricultural land, roads, schools, and public infrastructure, causing significant economic losses and disrupting transportation across several districts. Officials warned that damaged embankments and overflowing rivers continue to pose a threat to vulnerable communities.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast further rainfall across parts of Assam and neighboring northeastern states in the coming days, raising concerns that flood conditions could worsen in low-lying areas. Authorities have urged residents living near rivers and flood-prone regions to remain alert and follow evacuation advisories.

Seasonal monsoon floods are a recurring challenge in Assam, where the mighty Brahmaputra River and its tributaries frequently overflow during the rainy season. The annual flooding often results in widespread displacement, damage to infrastructure, and significant losses to agriculture and livelihoods.

Relief and rehabilitation efforts remain underway as authorities work to provide emergency assistance, restore essential services, and help affected communities recover from one of the state's deadliest flood disasters in recent years. (ILKHA)