Assam to verify flood relief funds raised by 72 YouTubers

GUWAHATI: The Assam government will verify the flood relief funds raised by 72 YouTubers in Assam and elsewhere, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Wednesday (August 12, 2026).

He said the government appreciated the efforts of content creators and individuals who support the flood-affected people, but found it necessary to ascertain whether the money reached the State and how it has been utilised.

According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority, 102 people died in floods from April to August 11, 2026, and at least 7.21 lakh people were affected. Most of those killed were from Sivasagar, Charaideo, and Jorhat districts.

“The funds raised by 72 YouTubers must be properly accounted for to avoid duplication of relief efforts. We want to ensure that the funds reach the people intended for,” the Chief Minister said, praising a few Assam-based YouTubers for their “good job”.

He said the Assam police’s cyber cell was monitoring the accounts linked to the fundraising activities. “We want to acknowledge the contribution of YouTubers and others involved in the relief efforts and honour them with traditional gamosas [decorative scarf-towel], but their accounts have to be verified first,” he said.

A few days ago, the Chief Minister directed the police and authorities across the districts to stop people from seeking donations house-to-house or on highways in the name of flood relief. There were allegations that such people were collecting money from the public, using donation boxes or QR codes.