When the July 2026 monsoons brought heavy rains to Assam, India, river levels surged through the mountainous region. By July 19, violent floods had swept into Nepali Khuti and neighboring villages, destroying homes, washing away agricultural fields, and severely impacting the lives of local families. Weeks later, relief teams traveled to Sivasagar district to assess the damage, ultimately coordinating a large-scale distribution to support approximately 1,300 households from Nepali Khuti, Bangoli, and Amguri.

On September 13, villagers gathered at Bihubor Siloni High School. The morning began with heavy showers, muddying the grounds and delaying preparations, but as the skies cleared, the focus shifted to the practical needs of those affected. For many in attendance, the beds, mattresses, fans, and water filters provided were essential tools for starting over.

Recovering from zero

The rapid onset of the floodwaters left residents with little time to react. Mohammad Rubul Ali recalled escaping with his eight- and four-year-old children as the water reached chest height. Their attempt to reach the main road failed when it too was washed away. The family was forced to spend the night on a concrete roof in the pouring rain, without food or clean drinking water. While they survived, their home was stripped bare.

The water came too fast. Everything we used to have in our house is gone now. The children do not even have their school uniforms, and we urgently need a mattress because we are still sleeping on the floor. — Mohammad Rubul Ali, Resident

Hearing such accounts, volunteers understood the urgency of basic home goods. Local volunteer Deepak from the Assam Youth Action Network (AYAN) had been involved since the initial damage assessments in August. He recalled seeing residents anxious and unsure of how to proceed, noting that while some government aid had arrived, many families still lacked clean drinking water and a proper place to sleep.

For the agrarian communities, the flooding had set them back years. Another AYAN volunteer, Pourakh, noted that cash crops like corn and rice were almost entirely devastated, leaving farmers with no choice but to rebuild their livelihoods from zero.

A collaborative effort

Organizing the relief distribution required extensive coordination and community involvement. Before the event, the AYAN team mobilized over thirty young volunteers to assist with logistics, reception, and care. Akash, an AYAN coordinator, saw the preparation process as a valuable opportunity for local youth to directly support their neighbors in crisis.

The community’s willingness to help was evident in the days leading up to the distribution. Aroty Tanti, a local villager who works in a nearby tea garden, saw the teams preparing the high school grounds and immediately picked up a broom to assist. Her own home, located on slightly higher ground, was spared from the flood, but she felt compelled to contribute to the recovery of her village.

To ensure the distribution ran smoothly, volunteers like Kok Eng Goh (吳儀榮) mapped out the venue and arranged seating. Meanwhile, event MC Md Ansar Ali prepared to address the crowd, encouraged by his ailing father to participate and bring comfort to the survivors.

During the distribution, Prashanta Borgohain, an assistant to the local Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), addressed the crowd, praising the orderly nature of the event and encouraging villagers to maintain patience. Assamese singer Deeplina Deka was also present, helping to translate a letter of care into the local language, ensuring the message of support was clearly understood by all in attendance.

Walking through the mud

The distribution was only one part of the recovery process. The following morning, volunteers ventured into Zones 2, 6, and 7 of Nepali Khuti to conduct follow-up home visits. Joined by local representatives like Rabina Kumari and Ven. Rinchen (如心法師), the team navigated terrain still scarred by the disaster.

In some areas, the roads were too muddy for vehicles to pass. To reach Aklesh Sharma in Zone 2, the team hiked on foot through a kilometer of thick mud. Aklesh had helped his wife carry their newly received items home the day before and welcomed the team with quiet gratitude.

Further along the hills and winding streams, they visited Sushila Bhumij. Her original home had been heavily damaged, and she was currently living in a newly constructed shelter built with the help of a non-profit organization. Because of the difficult road conditions, she temporarily stored her new supplies at her brother’s house.

A bed is the most necessary item for us, and the water filter is also very important. — Sushila Bhumij, Resident

For older residents, the trauma of the floods brought lingering anxieties about the future. Tilamaya Sharma, who is in her sixties and lives with her son and daughter-in-law, expressed a deep fear that the waters might return. She hopes to save enough money over the next two years to purchase land in a safer area.

Once a house is built, it cannot be rebuilt over and over again. — Tilamaya Sharma, Resident

The path to full recovery in Assam remains long. Yet, through the practical provision of clean water and safe beds, combined with the presence of local youth and volunteers who walked through the mud to listen, families in Nepali Khuti are finding the stability needed to take their next steps forward.

Written by Cheng-Hsuan Wang (王承瑄)