Assam CM Announces 6-Month Loan Moratorium For Flood-Hit Borrowers, Death Toll Reaches 80
Assam CM Announces 6-Month Loan Moratorium For Flood-Hit Borrowers, Death Toll Reaches 80 Published By, Last Updated: July 31, 2026, 06:24 IST The moratorium will
Assam CM Announces 6-Month Loan Moratorium For Flood-Hit Borrowers, Death Toll Reaches 80 Published By, Last Updated: July 31, 2026, 06:24 IST The moratorium will apply to borrowers in Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat districts, which have been among the worst affected by the floods. People shift their belongings to a safer place on a boat after floods and heavy rain, in Sivasagar, Assam. (PTI/File) The Assam government on Thursday announced a si month loan repayment moratorium for flood-affected borrowers in four districts, as the death toll from the devastating floods rose to 80. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the relief measure was approved during a special meeting of the State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC), which was attended by representatives from the RBI, NABARD, SBI and other commercial banks. Loan Relief Announced For Four Flood-Hit Districts The moratorium will apply to borrowers in Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat districts, which have been among the worst affected by the floods.
Sarma said banks will assess the condition of individual borrowers before providing the benefit, adding that only those affected by the floods will qualify. He also urged people who were not impacted by the disaster to continue paying their EMIs. The Chief Minister said loan repayment periods could also be extended from one year up to seven years, depending on the nature of the debt. He added that small shop owners whose businesses were destroyed would receive an additional Rs 10,000 in their loan accounts without requiring fresh collateral. The announcement came after opposition parties had urged the government and the RBI to provide relief on loan repayments for flood victims. Death Toll Rises As Assam Seeks Centre’s Support According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), two more people died in floodwaters in Sivasagar district over the past 24 hours, taking the overall death toll to 80.
Around 2.12 lakh people remain affected across Charaideo, Golaghat, Jorhat and Sivasagar districts. Charaideo is the worst-hit district, with nearly 80,000 people impacted, followed by Sivasagar and Jorhat. The flood situation has improved compared to Wednesday, when more than three lakh people were affected. Authorities are currently operating 112 relief camps and distribution centres, providing support to over 75,000 people. Sarma said the state government has sought a special support package from the Centre for relief, rehabilitation, housing, infrastructure and livelihood restoration. He said Assam has requested that the floods be recognised as an “atypical, high-intensity, rapid-onset event" to allow more flexible damage assessment and assistance. The Chief Minister did not disclose the amount sought from the Centre. (With inputs from PTI) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad.
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