The death toll from the devastating floods in India's northeastern state of Assam has climbed to 75 after seven more people lost their lives, even as floodwaters began receding in several areas, according to the latest bulletin issued by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA).

Officials said all seven latest fatalities were reported from the Nazira revenue circle in Sivasagar district. Although the overall flood situation has shown signs of improvement, more than 332,000 people remain affected across seven districts, with hundreds of villages still inundated.

The ASDMA said floodwaters continue to affect 622 villages spread across 21 revenue circles, with Charaideo district remaining the worst-hit, followed by Sivasagar and Jorhat. Authorities noted that the number of affected residents has declined from more than 445,000 reported a day earlier, indicating gradual improvement in some regions.

Rescue and relief operations remained in full swing, with personnel from the Indian Army, Air Force, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Fire and Emergency Services, and local volunteers continuing evacuation, relief distribution and recovery efforts.

According to the disaster management authority, 81 relief camps are currently sheltering more than 32,000 displaced residents, while an additional 34 relief distribution centres are providing food, drinking water and other essential supplies to flood-affected communities.

The floods have also dealt a severe blow to agriculture, with more than 45,300 hectares of cropland submerged under floodwaters. Authorities reported extensive damage to homes, cattle sheds, schools and anganwadi centres across the affected districts, raising concerns over long-term recovery and livelihoods.

Officials said the Dhansiri (South) River continues to flow above the danger mark at Numaligarh in Golaghat district, while authorities remain on alert for renewed flooding if heavy rainfall persists.

In response to the disaster, the Assam government has announced additional relief measures, including enhanced compensation for families of flood victims. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also reviewed the flood situation with state authorities, while humanitarian assistance has been stepped up to support affected communities.

Meanwhile, civil society groups, including the All Assam Students' Union (AASU), have called for a comprehensive long-term strategy to address the state's recurring flood crisis, urging the central government to provide a special rehabilitation package and invest in scientific flood management solutions.

Assam experiences severe monsoon flooding almost every year due to the overflowing Brahmaputra River and its tributaries. Experts warn that increasingly erratic rainfall patterns and extreme weather events are intensifying the scale and frequency of flooding, posing growing challenges for disaster preparedness and climate resilience across the region. (ILKHA)