‘I'm Taking It, You Also Come’: Assam Boy Swept Away While Rescuing Pet Dog From Floodwaters

Published 1 August 2026 · india

‘I'm Taking It, You Also Come’: Assam Boy Swept Away While Rescuing Pet Dog From Floodwaters Published By, Last Updated: August 01, 2026, 09:14 IST

‘I'm Taking It, You Also Come’: Assam Boy Swept Away While Rescuing Pet Dog From Floodwaters Published By, Last Updated: August 01, 2026, 09:14 IST While the family lost their son, the dog he tried to protect survived. Varun continues to stay with the grieving family. Rapid Read Hridip's mother said the tragedy should serve as a reminder to families living in flood-prone regions. (AI Generated) The floods that swept through parts of eastern Assam this month have left behind more than statistics and damage reports. Among the many stories emerging from the disaster is that of Hridip, a minor from Bamunpukhuri Tea Estate in Sivasagar district, who lost his life while trying to save his pet dog from rising floodwaters. The incident occurred on July 19 as floodwater rapidly inundated the area. According to his family, Hridip was attempting to move his three-month-old dog, Varun, to a safer place when he was caught in the strong current and swept away, NDTV reported. Recounting the tragedy, Hridip’s father described the final moments before the accident.

“I told him to go to his uncle’s house because the water was rising. He said, ‘Papa, I’m taking Varun with me. You also come.’ I went inside the house to collect some important documents. When I came out, the water level had risen sharply. My brother and nephew came to help us, but my son slipped into the current. We tried our best, but we couldn’t save him," he said. Dog Survived While the family lost their son, the dog he tried to protect survived. Varun continues to stay with the grieving family. Hridip’s mother said the tragedy should serve as a reminder to families living in flood-prone regions. “I appeal to all parents to keep their children close during floods. Don’t assume they will be safe on their own. We lost our only son," she said. She also called for stronger disaster-response measures and better rescue infrastructure in vulnerable areas. “I request Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government to ensure boats are available in every flood-affected village.

Rescue teams should be able to reach people quickly. Timely help can save lives," she said. Death Toll Climbs To 82 Assam’s flood death toll has risen to 82 with two more deaths reported from the state, even as the overall flood situation continues to improve, according to the Assam Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA). The latest victims were reported from the Nazira revenue circle in Sivasagar district and Sonari in Charaideo district. ASDMA said no one is currently missing. Floodwaters are still affecting nearly 1.92 lakh people across five districts: Sivasagar, Golaghat, Jorhat, Nagaon and Charaideo. As many as 379 villages spread across 17 revenue circles remain inundated. Charaideo remains the worst-affected district, with 77,456 people impacted by the floods. Sivasagar has reported 63,492 affected residents, while Jorhat accounts for 34,067. The number of people affected has dropped from over two lakh recorded on Thursday. To support those displaced by the floods, authorities are running 54 relief camps that are sheltering 12,994 people. Another 26 relief distribution centres are assisting 5,384 residents.