Ariful Islam/Guwahati

The devastating floods that have ravaged the eastern Assam districts of Charaideo, Sivasagar, and Jorhat have submerged entire villages, with floodwaters rising above rooftops and leaving widespread destruction in their wake. For thousands of affected residents, the scale of the disaster has been beyond imagination.

Amid this humanitarian crisis, a gurdwara in Sivasagar town has emerged as a beacon of compassion, demonstrating that service to humanity is the highest form of religion. The Sivasagar Gurudwara Sahib has opened its doors to around 200 flood-affected families and has been providing them with three meals a day.

Located near Station Chariali, the gurdwara has been serving food to everyone, irrespective of caste, religion, ethnicity, or language. Besides accommodating nearly 200 families, it prepares and serves meals to between 1,500 and 2,000 flood-affected people every day. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided through its community kitchen.

Speaking to Awaz-The Voice, the gurdwara's Joint State Secretary of the Management Committee, Maninder Singh Khalsa, said, "Our gurdwara has always run a langar (community kitchen), and serving humanity is our religion. Therefore, it is our duty to stand by the people of Sivasagar during this difficult time. As soon as the floods hit Sivasagar, we opened the doors of our gurdwara to the people of this area. Those whose homes have been inundated have been given shelter here. Around 200 families are being accommodated comfortably in the gurdwara, and we have arranged three meals a day for them."

Flood-affected residents at Sivasagar Gurudwara Sahib

"Our volunteers are working day and night in the gurdwara kitchen to prepare food for the flood victims," Maninder Singh Khalsa added.

The humanitarian initiative of the Sivasagar Gurudwara Sahib has inspired several others to contribute. Members of the Marwari community, social organisations, and numerous individuals have extended support to the gurdwara's relief efforts.

Concerned about the health of those staying at the gurdwara, its management committee has appealed to the government to deploy two doctors and a medical team.

"If the government provides us with two doctors and a medical team, that will be sufficient. We will arrange the medicines ourselves," Maninder Singh Khalsa said.

Sivasagar town is home to only about 50 Sikh families, who collectively manage the gurdwara. Despite their small numbers, they have provided shelter, food, and essential support to hundreds of people during this unprecedented crisis. Their selfless service stands as a powerful reminder that humanity transcends all religious and social boundaries.

Flood-affected residents eating langar at Sivasagar Gurudwara Sahib 

According to official figures, the floods have affected more than 18,000 villages across 25 districts of Assam, impacting at least 7.21 lakh people. The government says 47 people have lost their lives, while at least 70 remain missing. Thousands of livestock have also been swept away.

However, many residents claim the actual number of deaths and missing persons is significantly higher than the official figures and may have crossed the hundred mark.

Although the Assam government has launched extensive relief and rescue operations, assistance has yet to reach many affected areas. In several places, people remain stranded as rescue teams have been unable to access them due to the severity of the flooding.

Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi has alleged that around 100 people were swept away by floodwaters in Bihubar in Sivasagar district. However, no such incident has been reflected in the official government records.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has been stationed in eastern Assam since Wednesday to monitor the flood situation in the three worst-affected districts. He has also been visiting relief camps to interact with displaced people and assess their grievances.

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The Chief Minister has further assigned four ministers to oversee relief and rescue operations. Ministers Sushanta Borgohain, Keshab Mahanta, and Bimal Bora have been supervising rescue efforts and relief distribution in Sivasagar and Charaideo districts, while senior minister Ajanta Neog has been entrusted with overseeing operations in Jorhat.