Hiloni Nepali Khuti, a Gorkha settlement of about 200 families on the banks of the Dikhow in Sivasagar district, was virtually wiped out when the river surged through the village on the afternoon of July 19. Torrential rain in neighbouring Nagaland caused the Dikhow to swell suddenly, sweeping away houses, cattle sheds and an immense number of livestock. State disaster officials say Assam’s floods have so far affected more than 300,000 people across seven districts and the death toll has risen to 78 after recent recoveries.
The hamlet-located roughly 500 metres from the Dikhow and about 3 km from the Assam–Nagaland border-relied largely on dairy farming, supplying milk to Nazira and nearby towns. Residents describe the river as a familiar presence until it turned destructive in minutes, leaving behind a barren stretch of sand and debris where homes and fields once stood. Eyewitnesses report that floating logs and uprooted trees, carried downstream from the Naga Hills, added to the torrent’s force.
“All the villagers went to collect the logs and firewood carried by the river from Nagaland hills. We collect those every monsoon. We were very happy. But we noticed a rapid increase in the water level and more firewood in the water. Then the water engulfed the entire village and swept everything without leaving an opportunity for us to save our belongings,” said Balaram Sharma, 38. His family sheltered on an elevated landing for two days before being rescued on the third day; of his 23 cattle, 16 were washed away.
Another resident, Prakash Sharma, 35, saved his family but lost 56 of his 60 cattle. He managed to recover four animals with the help of security forces on July 27, eight days after the flood struck. Security personnel and local agencies have been involved in search-and-rescue and relief operations, evacuating displaced families and attempting to retrieve stranded livestock.
According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the floods have affected 3,00,031 people in 551 villages across 21 revenue circles, and inundated 21,523.08 hectares of cropland. Authorities continue body recoveries and relief distribution while displaced families confront the twin crises of homelessness and sudden livelihood loss.
Villagers now face the long task of rebuilding homes and restoring dairy operations with limited livestock and damaged pastures. Local officials and relief agencies say immediate needs include shelter, livestock support and fodder, along with measures to prevent further erosion along vulnerable stretches of the Dikhow.
Original Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/ground-zero-of-assams-flood-fury-village-vanishes-in-an-hour-toll-rises-to-78-over-3l-affected/articleshow/132727709.cms
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Publish Date: 2026-07-30 10:49:00
