Assam Ministers Assess Flood Impact and Relief Efforts
Ministers Tour Affected Areas
Ranoj Pegu in Dhemaji assessing the flood control works (Photo - @ranojpeguassam / X)
Guwahati, June 25: As Assam grapples with the initial wave of flooding, three senior ministers conducted a tour on Thursday to evaluate the situation in districts severely impacted by floods and erosion.
Education Minister Ranoj Pegu, Water Resources Minister Sushanta Borgohain, and Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Keshab Mahanta visited areas including Dhemaji, Majuli, and Lakhimpur. They engaged with local residents, inspected at-risk locations, and instructed officials to enhance both immediate relief operations and long-term flood prevention strategies.
Dhemaji is particularly hard-hit, with over 20,000 individuals affected due to the rising waters of the Jiyadhol River.
Pegu, who oversees Biswanath and Golaghat, began his assessment at a relief camp located at Lalukijan Dharmapur Lower Primary School, where many displaced families have sought refuge.
He evaluated the relief provisions and urged officials to guarantee a steady supply of drinking water, food, medical supplies, insecticide powder, tin sheets, and other necessities for those in the flood-affected Anjali Chapori region.
Later, he examined areas suffering from erosion in Dharmapur and Kolbari, where the advancing Jiyadhol River has exacerbated riverbank erosion.
"Our commitment is to safeguard both lives and livelihoods. This fiscal year, we will conduct scientific assessments of the river's behavior and implement sustainable solutions, including embankments and road infrastructure, to reduce future flooding and erosion," Pegu stated.
He also instructed the Dhemaji District Commissioner to accelerate the construction of embankments and culverts under the Vibrant Villages (VB-GRAM) initiative and chaired a joint review meeting with engineers from the Water Resources Departments of Dhemaji and North Lakhimpur, urging them to devise a comprehensive flood mitigation strategy for both districts.
Meanwhile, Borgohain, the guardian minister for Majuli and Dibrugarh, traveled by boat from Majuli to Moloya Chapori in the Naoboicha Assembly constituency to evaluate erosion caused by the Subansiri River.
He directed officials to prioritize erosion control efforts, emphasizing that Assam's flood management approach is transitioning from temporary fixes to scientifically informed, long-term solutions.
"Road connectivity has significantly improved, and our current focus is on fortifying embankments to protect homes, land, and livelihoods from erosion. We are reviewing ongoing projects to ensure future interventions are based on thorough scientific analysis rather than short-term fixes," he added.
Borgohain described the Brahmaputra as one of the most complex river systems to manage in the country, reaffirming the government's dedication to strengthening embankments, preventing erosion, and reclaiming land wherever possible.
He noted the recent increase in water levels in the Subansiri and Ranganadi rivers, stating that all emergency response teams, including the SDRF, NDRF, medical units, and district administrations, have been placed on high alert following directives from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Keshab Mahanta, who oversees Lakhimpur and South Salmara-Mankachar, also assessed the flood situation in Lakhimpur district, where authorities remain vigilant due to rising water levels in the Ranganadi River following the release of water from an upstream hydroelectric facility.
Mahanta emphasized that while immediate relief is a priority, the region requires innovative, long-term flood protection strategies.
"We are continuously monitoring the situation and addressing urgent needs promptly. However, this area requires a comprehensive long-term plan. Nearly 15,000 to 16,000 people rely on this region, and traditional embankments may not suffice due to the terrain. We will explore innovative solutions and aim to implement key proposals within this year," he stated.
The district administration has activated emergency response protocols, deploying SDRF personnel to vulnerable areas and placing all departments on standby as the flood situation evolves.