Flood fury continues in the state. The first wave of floods this monsoon has already affected 48,500 people across four districts. Many flood-hit families are facing severe crisis, with farmland, roads, bridges and other infrastructure damaged. In view of the grim flood situation, the Central Government has assured all assistance for rescue, relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction.
On Wednesday, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, along with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, visited several flood-affected areas of Dhemaji district. They conducted an aerial survey of the damaged areas and held a detailed review of the flood situation with state government ministers and senior officials.
After the inspection, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that floods have damaged many houses, washed away or damaged roads and bridges, destroyed power infrastructure, submerged vast stretches of farmland, and killed many domestic animals. He said the top priority now is to rescue the affected people from this crisis and bring them back to normal life.
He added that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Central Government stands firmly with the people of Assam. The state will be provided all support for relief, rehabilitation, compensation and reconstruction.
Meanwhile, at a press conference in Guwahati, the Union Minister said that an interim report on the flood damage will be submitted to the Prime Minister very soon. A detailed survey across the state will also continue alongside.
He said the Assam Government has already started damage assessment. The state government’s swift action and rescue operations have helped save many lives. Immediate relief is being arranged through the State Disaster Response Fund, and adequate financial assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund will also be extended to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh as required.
According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority, Dhemaji, Biswanath, Dibrugarh and Nalbari districts are affected by floods. Among these, Dhemaji has suffered the most, with over 44,000 people affected. Around 4,000 people in Dibrugarh and about 500 in Biswanath have also been hit. One flood-related death has been reported so far this year.
Currently, 13 relief camps and relief distribution centres are operational in two districts. A total of 153 people have taken shelter in these camps. The National Disaster Response Force and the State Disaster Response Force have rescued 713 people from various locations in Dhemaji district.
In the last 24 hours, 290.95 quintals of rice, 51.23 quintals of dal, 15.35 quintals of salt and 1,535.49 litres of mustard oil have been distributed among flood-affected families.
As per the authority, 179 villages in the state remain inundated. Crops on 2,117.34 hectares have been damaged. In addition, many embankments, roads, bridges and other public infrastructure have been hit by floodwaters.
Meanwhile, the Brahmaputra at Nimatighat is still flowing above the danger level. More than 82,883 domestic animals and poultry have also been affected across the state due to floods.
Notably, the Union Agriculture Minister expressed concern that due to El Niño, 12 districts of Assam are likely to face adverse weather conditions this time. He said that to effectively tackle such a situation, both immediate measures and long-term preparedness are equally important.
