Guwahati : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said nearly 80,000 people stranded by the devastating floods in Upper Assam are yet to be reached by government relief teams, highlighting the continuing challenges posed by widespread inundation and damaged infrastructure.

Addressing the media, Sarma said around 50,000 people in Nazira subdivision and another 30,000 in Sivasagar district remain cut off from relief operations despite sustained efforts by rescue agencies.

“There are around 50,000 people in Nazira and nearly 30,000 people in Sivasagar whom the government has not yet been able to reach with relief. The flood situation has improved slightly, but these areas remain inaccessible,” the Chief Minister said.

He said rescue teams are working continuously to access the marooned villages and expressed confidence that the remaining stranded population would be reached as water levels recede and connectivity improves.

Sarma also confirmed that the flood-related death toll in the state has risen to 50, while warning that the number could increase as several people remain missing and many affected areas are still inaccessible.

The Chief Minister said more than 60,000 households continue to remain without electricity after floodwaters damaged power infrastructure across the worst-hit districts. Restoration work is underway, but electricity cannot be resumed in several locations until submerged transformers and other equipment are declared safe.

To assess the scale of the disaster, an inter-ministerial team from the Centre is scheduled to visit Assam on Saturday. The team will evaluate the extent of damage and determine the financial assistance required for relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Upper Assam, particularly the districts of Sivasagar, Charaideo and Jorhat, has experienced unprecedented flooding following exceptionally heavy rainfall and large inflows from upstream areas. The sudden deluge inundated villages, damaged roads and bridges, disrupted communication networks and left thousands stranded.

Rescue and relief operations are continuing with the support of the Army, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and other state agencies as authorities race to reach the remaining marooned population and restore essential services.