Assam Releases ₹160 Crore Interim Flood Relief

Assam released interim flood relief of about ₹160 crore on 3 August 2026 for families affected by recent floods in Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat districts. The assistance was transferred directly to bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer mechanism, and each of nearly 75,000 worst-affected families received ₹15,000.

Interim Relief and DBT Mechanism

Direct Benefit Transfer is a payment system in India that sends government benefits and subsidies directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts. The DBT system is used for cash transfers, pension payments, scholarships and welfare schemes through Aadhaar-linked or bank-linked accounts. The Assam government used this mechanism for flood relief to provide immediate financial support to affected households. The first phase of assistance covered more than 60,000 families, and the beneficiary count may rise after further assessment.

Flood Relief Package and Ex-Gratia Support

On 28 July 2026, Assam announced a broader relief package for flood-affected families. The package includes ₹9 lakh as ex-gratia for families of flood victims, with ₹5 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund and ₹4 lakh from the Central government. The state also waived the requirement of post-mortem reports for claims linked to flood deaths. An additional tranche of ₹10,000 each will be released for severely affected families in Sivasagar and Charaideo districts who remain unable to return home by 9 August 2026.

Education Support and Affected Districts

Students in severely affected districts will receive book grants from ₹1,000 for Higher Secondary students to ₹5,000 for postgraduate students from 1 August 2026. The package also includes free textbooks and support for school uniforms. As of 3 August 2026, about 1.35 lakh people remained affected in five districts, and the death toll reached 85. The flood-hit districts named in the relief announcement were Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat.

Important Facts for Exams

• Direct Benefit Transfer was launched in India to transfer subsidies and welfare payments directly into bank accounts.
• Chief Minister’s Relief Fund is a state-level fund used for emergency assistance and disaster-related support.
• Ex-gratia is a payment made as compensation without admission of legal liability.
• Assam is a flood-prone state because the Brahmaputra and its tributaries carry heavy monsoon discharge.