Recent devastating floods, triggered by heavy rainfall on July 19, have caused extensive damage to Assam's rich cultural heritage, severely impacting numerous archaeological sites and endangering hundreds of priceless manus. Officials from the Directorate of Archaeology have launched urgent preservation efforts following initial assessments in Sivasagar and Charaideo districts, where at least 12 significant historical locations have sustained damage.
Dr. Nabajit Deori, director-in-charge of the Directorate of Archaeology, confirmed the widespread impact during his visits to the affected monuments. A critical concern is the Darika Silsako at Simaluguri, where standing pillars face significant structural threats due to the persistent high water levels. A comprehensive evaluation of its condition remains pending until floodwaters fully recede. Further south, the swollen Dikhow river breached the boundary walls of Gorokhia Doul in Nazira, posing a substantial risk to the historic structure.
Several other prominent sites in Sivasagar, including Golaghar, Hara Gauri Temple, Fakuwa Doul, and Bogi Doul, have reported issues ranging from extensive silt deposition and algae growth to damage to their delicate lime plaster. The floods have also raised serious alarms about the safety of hundreds of invaluable manus, some potentially numbering over a thousand, which are often housed in or near these vulnerable heritage sites.
Many archaeological sites remain submerged, preventing a full and accurate assessment of the damage. This situation underscores the urgent need for long-term conservation strategies as Assam grapples with increasingly frequent extreme weather events, threatening its irreplaceable historical legacy.
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