Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma visits flood-hit Sivasagar, announces Rs 5 lakh aid for victims' families

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is on a five-day visit to Upper Assam to assess the recent flood situation, visited a relief camp for flood-affected people in Sivasagar, several flood-ravaged areas, and the premises of educational institutions affected by the floods.

The Chief Minister first visited the relief camp set up at the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology campus in Sivasagar, where he took stock of the condition of the camp inmates and interacted with them. He asked the district administration to ensure adequate food, safe drinking water, healthcare services, and all essential facilities for children, elderly persons, and women staying at the camp.

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At the relief camp, Sarma handed over cheques of Rs 5 lakh each as one-time financial assistance to the next of kin of 10 persons who lost their lives in the devastating floods. He assured the flood-affected people that the Government of Assam stands firmly beside every affected family during this difficult time and will extend all possible assistance for their rehabilitation and reconstruction.

It may be noted that the relief camp is currently sheltering 563 people from 162 families, including 35 children, 267 men, and 261 women.

Speaking to the media after visiting the relief camp, the Chief Minister said that over the past two days, he had visited flood-affected people in the districts of Sivasagar and Charaideo and taken stock of their situation. He informed that Union Minister J. P. Nadda will visit Upper Assam on Wednesday to assess the flood situation and interact with the affected people.

Stating that the government has undertaken all possible measures to assist people affected by the floods, the Chief Minister said that a survey to assess permanent losses in all four flood-affected districts will begin on August 9. Compensation will be disbursed to the affected people after the completion of the survey.

He further stated that the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the floods have already been provided Rs 4 lakh each under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), while an additional Rs 5 lakh each is now being provided from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

Sarma visited several flood-affected areas of Sivasagar district to assess the situation and assured all possible assistance and support from the government to the affected families. He inspected several waterlogged and mud-covered areas by travelling in tractors and rubber boats.

The Chief Minister visited flood-affected areas, including Rajabari, Dihirgaon, Dhai Ali-Darikhat, Kakpathar-Kukurpuhia, and Banmukh, where he interacted with local residents and took note of their problems. Travelling by rubber boat, he also visited the flood-affected and marooned areas of Panbecha, Hatimuria, Betena, Dhupaboria, Tatipathar, and Luruki, conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the damage, and took stock of the difficulties faced by local people.

Reiterating that the government stands beside every flood-affected family, the Chief Minister assured that relief, rehabilitation, and compensation measures would be undertaken on a priority basis so that affected people can return to normal life at the earliest.

The Chief Minister also visited the flood-affected premises of Sivasagar Girls’ College and Phuleswari Girls’ Higher Secondary School. Sarma laid special emphasis on strengthening the drainage system of the Jamuna to minimise the impact of artificial flooding in the area in the future. He gave necessary directions to the district administration and concerned departments to restore normal conditions at the educational institutions at the earliest.

The Chief Minister stated that the Government of Assam will continue to work with full commitment to restore normal life for flood-affected people and ensure the speedy restoration of essential infrastructure.