As Assam recovers from one of its worst flood disasters in recent years, Reliance Foundation initiates a comprehensive humanitarian and recovery effort across the worst-affected districts of Sivasagar
and Charaideo. The initiative focuses on restoring access to safe drinking water, improving sanitation and hygiene, rehabilitating healthcare facilities, providing emergency relief, and supporting animal welfare.
The recent floods claimed 81 lives across Assam and, at their peak, affected more than seven lakh people across 12 districts, inundating nearly 900 villages. Although floodwaters have receded in many areas, over three lakh people continue to remain affected, while damaged infrastructure, disrupted livelihoods, and power outages continue to hamper recovery efforts.
With floodwaters damaging vital infrastructure and disrupting essential services, Reliance Foundation has deployed its Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) expert teams to work closely with the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department to restore flood-affected Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) drinking water schemes. Teams are actively repairing and reactivating non-functional water supply projects in Nazira, Santak and several other flood-hit areas of Sivasagar and Charaideo districts.
Simultaneously, the Foundation is carrying out village-level water purification and sanitation drives by disinfecting water sources, ensuring access to safe drinking water and promoting hygiene practices to minimise the risk of water-borne diseases in the aftermath of the floods. Water filter kits are also being distributed to flood-affected households to provide immediate access to clean and safe drinking water.
One beneficiary expressed gratitude for the initiative, saying, “The water is clean and easy to access. If we backwash the filter regularly, we can continue to get clean drinking water.”
As part of its public health response, Reliance Foundation is also assisting in the cleaning, sanitisation and restoration of flood-affected hospitals, Community Health Centres (CHCs), and other public healthcare facilities to help them resume medical services quickly in a safe and hygienic environment. Multiple teams remain deployed across the affected districts in close coordination with the district administration and government departments to accelerate the restoration of essential public infrastructure.
Speaking from Santak in Nazira, one of the worst flood-affected areas of Sivasagar district, a WASH Consultant with Reliance Foundation said that over the coming week, the Foundation aims to extend humanitarian assistance to approximately 10,000 flood-affected people, including 7,000 beneficiaries in Sivasagar and 3,000 in Charaideo.
The assistance package includes sanitation and hygiene (WASH) support, shelter kits, food assistance, and other essential relief materials to help vulnerable families meet their immediate needs and begin rebuilding their lives.
Complementing these humanitarian efforts, Vantara, Reliance Foundation’s animal welfare initiative, has deployed a 39-member veterinary team to provide healthcare, medical treatment and feed support to nearly 4,000 flood-affected livestock. The initiative recognises that protecting livestock is critical to safeguarding the livelihoods of rural families who depend on animals for their income and sustenance.
Through this integrated response, Reliance Foundation is addressing both human and animal welfare, ensuring that relief and rehabilitation efforts reach communities in a holistic and sustainable manner.
Reliance Foundation’s timely intervention has been widely appreciated by local residents, community volunteers and Jal Mitras, who have welcomed its partnership with the Public Health Engineering Department in restoring drinking water infrastructure, strengthening public health services, and supporting flood-affected communities during one of the region’s most challenging times.
ASSAM FLOOD SITUATION AT A GLANCE
- Total deaths: 81 people have lost their lives due to floods and related incidents.
- People currently affected: Over 3 lakh people remain affected across seven districts as floodwaters continue to recede.
- Peak impact: More than 7 lakh people were affected during the worst phase of the floods.
- Districts affected: 12 districts witnessed severe flooding at the peak of the crisis.
- Villages inundated: Around 900 villages were submerged.
- Relief operations: Hundreds of relief camps were established, sheltering thousands of displaced families.
- Power disruption: Nearly 13,000 households remained without electricity even 11 days after the deluge.
