Sarbananda Sonowal reviews flood situation as death toll reaches 35

GUWAHATI: With Assam facing severe flooding, Assam chief minister, Sarbananda Sonowal has taken to constant monitoring of the flood situation in the state.

Flood has affected 12, 55,692 people, inundating 2,053 villages under 70 revenue circles of 23 districts. The flood-related death toll has also shot up to 35 in Assam.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi after returning from G20 summit called up the Chief Minister from New Delhi over phone and took stock of the situation.

According to a government statement the Chief Minister and other Ministers of the Cabinet are visiting flood affected areas to take stock of the situation, to assess the damage caused by flood and erosion and also to interact with the affected people and take stock of their needs and grievances.

Sonowal will visit flood affected Majuli. Several areas of UNESCO’s world heritage, Kazarianga National park are flooded.

Chief Minister has asked Agriculture Department to ensure supply of superior quality seeds to the farmers whose crops have been devastated in the flood. “Public work department will repair all potholes and other damages caused by flood within the month of July”.

He added that to check erosion during flood, Water Resources Department will stockpile anti-erosion materials for prompt action at affected sites. “Environment and forest department is directed to ensure safe habitats for the animals of the wild life sanctuaries. To safeguard animals during flood at Kaziranga National Park special police force deployed to protect animals which come out the park.”

Chief Minister added Government has decided to procure dredger for excavation of river bed. “Around Rs 507 Crore is available under State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), out of which around Rs 100 Crore has been spent”. (Eom)