Assam CM Promises Comprehensive Support for Flood Victims
Ground Review of Flood Impact in Upper Assam
Assam CM interacting with flood affected villagers in Charaideo while assessing the ground situation on Wednesday (Photo: @himantabiswa/X)
Guwahati, July 22: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma commenced his assessment of the flood-affected regions in Upper Assam on Wednesday, reassuring residents that financial resources for relief and rehabilitation would be ample.
After engaging with residents impacted by the floods in Charaideo, Sarma emphasized that the state government is committed to providing all necessary support to those who have suffered due to the disaster.
He stated, "Nearly all financial aid for flood relief and erosion comes from the Central government, ensuring there will be no lack of funds."
When asked about the possibility of a special financial package from the Centre for Assam, Sarma clarified that the majority of relief and rehabilitation costs are already covered by the Union government.
"Currently, the Centre and the State operate as a unified entity in Assam. All relief funding is sourced from the Centre. Our role is to effectively utilize these funds and request additional support as needed, which the Centre is willing to provide," he explained.
Sarma's comments followed criticisms from Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, who raised concerns about the government's disaster management during his visit to flood-affected Jorhat, alleging ineffective use of allocated funds and resources.
Gogoi remarked, "We are still awaiting the NDRF assistance from the Centre, and there have been issues with the utilization of SDRF resources as well."
The Chief Minister noted that various agencies, including the Indian Army, NDRF, SDRF, and several state departments, are collaborating to conduct rescue and relief operations in the impacted areas.
"There has been significant destruction of homes, and many individuals have lost essential items such as textbooks, certificates, and livestock. We are committed to assisting everyone to the best of our ability," Sarma stated.
He acknowledged the difficulties faced by rescue teams in accessing some inundated regions.
"We are aware that there are still individuals trapped in floodwaters. The Indian Army, SDRF, and NDRF are exerting their utmost efforts. We have even attempted helicopter rescues in certain locations, but some areas remain completely unreachable. We are doing everything we can," he added.
Describing the situation as one of the most severe floods he has encountered, Sarma mentioned that thousands have sought refuge in relief camps, while many others are still isolated in remote locations cut off by floodwaters.
"Numerous affected individuals have arrived at relief camps, while others remain in their villages, and some are stranded in areas that relief teams have yet to access due to the extensive flooding," he noted.
Expressing sorrow over the reported fatalities during the ongoing floods, the Chief Minister stated that efforts to locate missing persons and recover bodies are ongoing.
"Many lives have been lost, and bodies are being gradually recovered. We will support the affected individuals in every possible manner. I will personally oversee the situation today," he affirmed.
When questioned about the overall damage, Sarma indicated that it is premature to provide a complete assessment.
"The extent of damage and losses is significantly greater than what has been reported so far. We are releasing available information in daily bulletins, but the final assessment of the devastation will be much higher," he concluded.
The Chief Minister's visit occurs during one of the most severe flood crises to impact Upper Assam in recent years.
Official reports indicate that the current flooding has resulted in 31 fatalities, including 21 deaths in a single day, with over 560,000 individuals affected across 16 districts.