53-Year-Old Elephant Rescued in Assam After Being Swept Away by Floodwaters

A 53-year-old domesticated elephant that was swept away from the hills of Nagaland by raging floodwaters has been rescued in Assam and is currently receiving veterinary care, Assam Forest Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah said on Saturday.

The elephant was swept away by the swollen Dikhow River, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, from Namsang in Nagaland. It was later found washed ashore at Bihubor in Assam's Sivasagar district.

The pachyderm was safely rescued on Friday and taken to Balighat in Simaluguri, where it is currently resting under the supervision of authorities. A veterinary team from the Nazira Veterinary Dispensary, assisted by the Nazira Mobile Veterinary Unit, promptly reached the location and conducted a health examination before providing immediate medical treatment.

Veterinary experts said the elephant would remain under continuous observation to ensure a full recovery from the physical stress caused by the floodwaters.

Baruah praised the frontline personnel involved in the rescue, saying their efforts demonstrated the importance of coordinated disaster response in protecting both wildlife and domesticated animals displaced by floods.

He said every monsoon brings significant challenges for people and animals across the Northeast, making timely rescue operations and professional veterinary care crucial in reducing the impact of natural disasters on vulnerable animals.

The minister said the state government's vision was to build an Assam where disaster resilience goes hand in hand with compassion for all living beings. He added that successful rescue operations reinforced the commitment to protecting Assam's natural heritage and extending care to animals unable to protect themselves.

Meanwhile, the flood situation in Assam remained grim on Saturday, despite water levels beginning to recede in some areas. Officials said the deluge has claimed 61 lives and affected more than 7.05 lakh people across nine districts.