The death toll from severe flooding in India's northeastern state of Assam has risen to 78, as hundreds of thousands of people continue to struggle with the aftermath of widespread inundation, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) confirmed on Thursday.

More than 300,000 residents remain affected by the floods, with 551 settlements still submerged as floodwaters continue to disrupt daily life across several districts.

Authorities said Charaideo district has emerged as the worst-hit area, where more than 137,000 people have been impacted by the disaster.

The floods have caused extensive damage to critical infrastructure, destroying or damaging roads, homes, schools and other public facilities. Many communities remain isolated, complicating rescue efforts and the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

Emergency response teams, supported by local authorities and disaster management agencies, continue to conduct relief and rescue operations, while temporary shelters have been established for displaced residents.

Officials are also assessing damage to agricultural land and livestock, raising concerns over the long-term impact on livelihoods in one of the region's most flood-prone states.

Assam experiences severe flooding almost every year during the monsoon season, as heavy rainfall causes the Brahmaputra River and its tributaries to overflow. Experts warn that increasingly extreme weather events linked to climate change have intensified the frequency and severity of floods across northeastern India.

Authorities have urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert as weather forecasts indicate the possibility of further rainfall in the coming days, which could hamper recovery efforts and worsen flooding in low-lying regions. (ILKHA)