Assam BJP has lauded the role of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the rapid mobilisation of rescue resources across the flood-affected areas of the State.
Assam BJP spokesperson Dr Zafreen Mehjabin said the scale of the 2026 floods demanded a response that was not merely reactive, but swift, organised and adequately equipped.
According to official flood situation reports, more than 1.6 lakh people across 15 districts have been affected, with 481 villages submerged as of August 7.
“In a disaster as geographically complex as Assam’s annual floods, the speed with which the government anticipates requirements and deploys resources can determine the difference between vulnerability and survival. The Himanta Biswa Sarma government’s decision to strengthen the SDRF’s operational capabilities and ensure the availability of modern rescue assets ahead of the flood season reflects a government that is preparing for disasters rather than merely responding to them,” Dr Mehjabin said.
The scale of the SDRF’s field operations demonstrates the effectiveness of this preparedness.
According to the SDRF Flood Status Report for July 19 to August 8, 2026, the force rescued 15,085 people across Sivasagar, Charaideu, Jorhat and Golaghat. This included 10,573 persons in Sivasagar, 3,006 in Charaideu, 1,128 in Jorhat and 378 in Golaghat.
The SDRF also rescued 184 animals and recovered 16 dead bodies during the period covered by the report.
“These are not merely operational numbers. Every person rescued represents a family reached in time, a vulnerable citizen evacuated from danger and a potentially larger humanitarian crisis prevented. The magnitude of these rescue operations reflects the importance of the State government’s preparedness and rapid-response mechanism,” Dr. Mehjabin said.
She specifically praised the government for inducting 40 new high-speed rescue boats before the flood season, calling it a significant example of advance preparedness.
“For Assam, where rising water levels can rapidly cut off roads and isolate entire communities, mobility on water is a fundamental component of disaster management. The induction of 40 high-speed rescue boats before the onset of the flood season demonstrates the government’s emphasis on preparedness, response time and operational readiness,” she said.
She said the approach adopted by the Himanta Biswa Sarma government demonstrates a broader shift towards anticipatory disaster management, where resources and response mechanisms are strengthened before the crisis reaches its peak.
Dr. Mehjabin said the government’s response should be viewed in the context of Assam’s recurring and increasingly complex flood challenges.
“Flood management cannot begin when the waters have already entered people’s homes. It begins with preparedness, strengthening the SDRF, augmenting rescue equipment, ensuring mobility, improving coordination and positioning resources where they can be deployed rapidly. The Himanta Biswa Sarma led government has demonstrated this understanding through its proactive approach,” she said.
She also appreciated the SDRF personnel, district administrations, police and other emergency-response agencies for their sustained efforts in difficult field conditions.
“Leadership during a disaster is measured by preparedness, speed and the ability to act decisively when every minute matters. The Himanta Biswa Sarma government has demonstrated all three in its response to the 2026 floods. The rescue of more than 15,000 people which not at all small a number by the SDRF alone during the period covered by its report is a strong indication of the operational capacity that has been built on the ground,” Dr. Mehjabin said.
She said that while Assam’s floods remain a formidable natural challenge, the strengthening of the State’s disaster-response infrastructure under the present government is contributing significantly towards building a more resilient, responsive and disaster-ready Assam.
