Guwahati: The ongoing floods in Assam have dealt a major blow to the state’s livestock sector, with 88,240 animals affected across several districts, according to the latest official figures.
The data shows that the affected animals include 45,895 large animals, 26,335 small animals, and 16,010 poultry, reflecting the widespread impact of the floods on rural livelihoods.
Golaghat recorded the highest number of affected livestock at 24,723, followed by Jorhat (23,163), Nagaon (19,738), Sivasagar (10,279), Charaideo (9,964), and Dibrugarh (373).
The floods have also resulted in the loss of 9,973 animals, all reported from Charaideo district. The casualties comprise 2,042 large animals, 2,225 small animals, and 5,706 poultry, making Charaideo the worst-affected district in terms of livestock deaths.
The losses are expected to significantly impact farming families who depend on cattle, goats, poultry and other domestic animals for their income and daily sustenance.
To support affected communities, the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department has been carrying out relief operations in flood-hit areas, including supplying fodder, providing veterinary care and monitoring the spread of diseases among livestock.
Meanwhile, BJP MLA Mrinal Saikia has called on the Assam government to extend direct financial assistance to families that have suffered livestock and poultry losses due to the floods.
Addressing reporters in Guwahati on Sunday, the Khumtai legislator said the disaster has severely affected the rural economy, particularly households engaged in cattle rearing and poultry farming.
“The flood has completely shattered the economies of several districts in Assam, particularly the rural economy. The government must compensate people for losses in the poultry and livestock sectors,” Saikia said, while appreciating the relief measures already undertaken by the state government.
His appeal comes as the state’s flood death toll has climbed to 68, according to the latest bulletin issued by the Disaster Reporting and Information Management System (DRIMS).