Assam govt avoids blame game over Upper Assam floods as Congress links illegal mining to disaster

Guwahati: As the Opposition Congress continued to allege that illegal sand and coal mining along the Assam-Nagaland border contributed to the devastating floods in parts of Upper Assam, the Assam government has refrained from entering the debate, saying it will examine the causes only after relief and rehabilitation measures are completed.

Four districts along the Assam-Nagaland border, Charaideo, Sivasagar, Jorhat and Golaghat, witnessed catastrophic flooding. These Upper Assam districts are not traditionally considered flood-prone and have rarely experienced flooding on such a scale.

The Congress has alleged that illegal sand mining in the Dikhow River, illegal coal mining along the Assam-Nagaland border and a thriving syndicate operating under political protection were responsible for worsening the disaster.


"Illegal sand mining in the Dikhow River, illegal coal mining along the Assam-Nagaland border and a thriving syndicate protected by those in power. The result? Three districts in Upper Assam have been left to drown. Despite clear directions from the Gauhati High Court, the government looked away. This wasn't just a natural disaster, it was a man-made tragedy enabled by inaction and absolute impunity. Who profited from the illegal mining?" the party said.

Former Leader of Opposition in the Assam Assembly and Congress leader Debabrata Saikia has also been consistently raising the issue of illegal sand mining and illegal coal mining in the region.

The Assam government, in its submission to the Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT), said the recent flood situation in these districts was unprecedented. It noted that districts such as Charaideo and Sivasagar had never been categorised as flood-prone.

According to the state government, the flooding was triggered by exceptionally high rainfall in Nagaland on July 19, 2026. Rainfall in the state was recorded at 181% above normal, with Mokokchung witnessing a 493% departure from normal rainfall, Wokha 108% above normal and Mon recording a 45% departure. Localised extremely heavy rainfall in Charaideo and Sivasagar further aggravated inundation across the affected districts.

Amid discussions that floodwaters flowing from Nagaland triggered flooding in Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said any formal discussion with the neighbouring state on the issue would be taken up only after relief and rehabilitation efforts are over.

"It would be inappropriate to discuss accountability or the causes of the floods at a time when Nagaland itself is grappling with the aftermath of the disaster. Maybe by September or October, we can meet the Nagaland Chief Minister and discuss the matter. At this stage, we cannot comment because Nagaland is also reeling under floods. They are also suffering," Sarma said.

He added that several academicians and experts are already examining the causes behind the floods, but the government's immediate priority remains relief and rehabilitation.

"By the time we meet, satellite imagery and scientific assessments will provide a clearer picture of what happened, its future implications and possible solutions," the Chief Minister said.

Sarma further said districts such as Mon and Mokokchung in Nagaland have suffered extensive damage and stressed that the focus at present should remain on relief and rehabilitation rather than determining the causes of the floods.

Around 1.92 lakh people in Assam continue to remain affected by the floods, while the death toll in the current wave has risen to 82.