Assam Floods Claim More Lives as Government Announces Relief Measures
Tragic Toll from Assam Floods Rises
(Image included) Guwahati, July 31 - The death toll in Assam due to flooding has tragically increased to 80, with two more fatalities reported. Currently, 212,000 individuals across eight districts remain affected, as confirmed by officials on Friday. In response to the crisis, the state government has declared a six-month moratorium on all types of loans taken by those impacted by the floods.
Government Seeks Central Assistance
The state has also requested a financial aid package from the central government to assist those severely affected by the unprecedented flooding. Officials reported that two additional lives were lost in the Sivasagar district, raising the total number of casualties in this year's devastating floods to 80. A total of 21 revenue circles and 437 villages in Golaghat, Sivasagar, Biswanath, Charaideo, Kamrup (Metro), Jorhat, Dhemaji, and Nagaon districts have been impacted.
Extent of the Damage
The floods have affected 212,400 people, with Charaideo district experiencing the worst impact, where nearly 80,000 individuals are suffering. In Sivasagar, around 71,000 people are affected, while Jorhat has reported about 40,000 individuals facing the flood's wrath.
Relief Efforts Underway
Despite the dire situation, there has been a slight improvement since Wednesday. The administration is operating 112 relief camps and distribution centers across four districts, currently sheltering 75,583 affected individuals. The Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), fire and emergency services, police, and civilian agencies are actively engaged in relief and rescue operations.
Banking Relief Initiatives
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that a special meeting of the State Level Bankers' Committee (SLBC) has decided on a relief plan for loan borrowers in Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat, and Golaghat districts. Representatives from the Reserve Bank of India, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), State Bank of India (SBI), and various commercial banks participated in this meeting. Sarma stated, 'The SLBC has resolved to offer a six-month moratorium on loan repayments for all flood-affected individuals in these districts.'
Loan Extensions for Affected Residents
He further explained that the duration of loans taken by flood-affected individuals could be extended from one year to a maximum of seven years, depending on the nature of the loan. Additionally, the state government has presented its request for a support package to an inter-ministerial central team, which recently concluded a four-day visit to the flood-affected districts of Assam.