Flood in Assam due to Nagaland mining, will take up with Centre: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said he will discuss the issue of mining in Nagaland with the Centre as one of the causes behind the devastating flood that has killed 87 people so far. Most of the victims were from three districts — Sivasagar, Charaideo, and Jorhat — that have little history of major floods. Sarma toured the flood-hit areas and said the state government would start assessing damage to houses from August 9 to expedite relief and rehabilitation.

He addressed concerns about Nagaland's mining activities contributing to the unprecedented flooding in Sivasagar and Charaideo, stating that a scientific study was needed to determine the actual cause. Many affected, including Sibsagar MLA Akhil Gogoi, blamed illegal sand, stone, and coal mining for the flood, arguing that such activities along with deforestation removed natural resistance to the floodwaters.

Sarma assured that the government would drain out floodwaters quickly and rebuild houses under the rehabilitation programme. He also suggested constructing additional cross-drainage structures to prevent future flood damage and agreed to increase compensation for flood victims. Donations from various sources have been pouring in, with people resorting to voluntary labor and providing free services such as vehicle repair.