India, July 28 -- Survivors of the devastating floods in Assam's worst-hit Sivasagar district are returning to homes buried in silt and debris, recounting harrowing escapes as they begin the long process of rebuilding their lives.

Septuagenarian couple Mukul and Bonti Bezbora spent nearly 12 hours atop a wooden divan floating inside their flooded home before being rescued by boat on July 20.

The retired professor and his wife were forced to watch helplessly as floodwaters swept through their home in Nazira town, overturning their refrigerator and almirahs and destroying nearly all their belongings.

"We heard the sound of a raging torrent around 8 pm, there was commotion outside. My wife and I climbed on an old wooden divan we had, wher...