Brahmaputra floods in Assam to moderate as hydropower projects rise in Tibet, Arunachal Pradesh: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Guwahati: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that floods triggered by river Brahmaputra River will gradually decline as there are a lot of hydro power activities in Tibet and Arunachal Pradesh this will result in flood moderation. However, there is not much intervention in tributaries that is why floods are presently happening from tributaries.

The state government will verify funds raised by 72 YouTubers, both from Assam and outside the state, for flood relief and ascertain whether the money has reached the state and how it has been utilised.

Sarma while talking to the media on Wednesday said, “In Tibet a big reservoir is coming up, they are trying to develop a 60,000 MW power project and in Arunachal Pradesh lot of power projects are coming. These will result in flood cushioning in river Brahmaputra. This phenomenon will be witnessed in the next couple of years. We do not have any intervention in the tributaries. So, most of the floods are happening in areas dominated by tributaries. So, from Brahmaputra now we must shift our attention to tributaries. Since 1950 we have never witnessed flood in Sivasagar, Charaideo. This is a new phenomenon.”


He said, “The water resource department has now to concentrate both of Brahmaputra and its tributaries.”

Sarma said Assam would face no shortage of funds for rehabilitation, with the Centre committed to helping under the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) framework.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured Central support for rehabilitation. However, he has asked us to ensure that no family, which has not suffered loss during the floods, is included in the assessment,” Sarma said.

According to Sarma, assessments of 8,325 families have already been completed, with the preliminary findings indicating damages worth more than Rs 150 crore for the registered lot which will go higher as the assessment continues.

"There is a possibility that the State government may have to spend over Rs 1,000 crore towards compensation and rehabilitation,”

He said the re-verification exercise would be carried out by a separate team of teachers to ensure impartiality and accuracy.

The Chief Minister also released assistance of Rs 2.5 lakh each for damaged anganwadi centres in the affected districts. The support covers 350 centres in Sivasagar, 95 in Charaideo, 37 in Jorhat and 12 in Golaghat.

In addition, the State government plans to extend similar assistance to flood-affected namghars.

"Before August 20, we will release Rs 2.5 lakh each for namghars (Vaishnavite monasteries) in Jorhat and Golaghat, ahead of the month of Bhaddo (September)," Sarma said.

Sarma said, “Thousands of micro contributions are adding up to a powerful collective effort. Over 26,000 people have made micro-donations to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, taking total contributions to Rs 142 crore in just the last few days”.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that YouTubers and social media influencers who raised funds during the recent floods and used the money to provide genuine assistance to affected people will be appreciated by the state government.

72 YouTube accounts have been identified that collected funds during the flood situation, and the state government is now checking how the money was subsequently utilised.

"Many YouTubers have already started helping people," the Chief Minister said, adding that the government wants to recognise those who have made a genuine contribution to the relief effort.

The government is seeking details of the assistance provided by such individuals and organisations, including the amount spent, the areas covered and the beneficiaries who received support. Some of the contributions announced during the relief effort included amounts of Rs 2 crore and Rs 50 lakh.

He made it clear that the government's monitoring of the funds was not intended to discourage people from coming forward to help.

Instead, those who have used the money properly and provided meaningful support to flood-hit people will be identified for recognition. The list could include YouTubers, influencers, NGOs and other organisations involved in relief work.

The chief minister said that 101 have died in the floods and affected around 12 lakh people.

Sarma asked the people who want a moratorium on loans to apply in banks. This facility is available till August 30. “Similarly for availing insurance the people must file claims. The companies are willing to extend all possible help. Only 17 people have applied for insurance. For loan moratorium only 390 applications have come.”