Central Team Evaluates Flood Damage in Jorhat District, Assam
Assessment of Flood Impact in Jorhat
The central team with Jorhat DC visiting flood-affected areas in the district, on Wednesday. (AT Photo)
Jorhat, July 29: A central inter-ministerial delegation has been evaluating the flood situation in Assam and visited various affected regions in Jorhat district on Wednesday to gauge the damage caused by the recent floods.
The team inspected damaged embankments, eroded riverbanks, and roads, while also reviewing the district's relief and rehabilitation initiatives.
This visit followed a review meeting at the Circuit House, where the team, led by M. Ramachandrudu, Joint Secretary (Disaster Management) from the Ministry of Home Affairs, received updates on the flood situation from local officials.
Assam's Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, Keshab Mahanta, presided over the meeting, which included Jorhat District Commissioner Joy Shivani and other senior officials.
Post-review, Ramachandrudu instructed the district administration to initiate a comprehensive disinfection and sanitation campaign in all flood-affected regions as soon as the waters recede to prevent potential outbreaks of infectious diseases.
After examining presentations on rescue efforts, relief distribution, management of relief camps, medical services, and the damages to infrastructure, agriculture, and livestock, the team proceeded to conduct a field assessment.
The delegation's first stop was Bonai Jogduar in the Teok Revenue Circle, where they inspected roads affected by flooding, followed by an examination of breached sections of the Jaji River embankment in the Dhantola area.
They then visited Solmara village in the Jorhat West Revenue Circle, where they assessed embankment breaches, riverbank erosion, and damaged road infrastructure.
During their inspections, the team engaged in detailed discussions with officials from various departments to comprehend the extent of the destruction and identify immediate restoration needs.
The central team acknowledged the district administration's and frontline personnel's efforts in conducting rescue, relief, and rehabilitation operations during the floods, urging authorities to accelerate repair and restoration efforts in the affected areas.
The delegation included officials from several central agencies, such as the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), and Central Water Commission (CWC), along with representatives from the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA).
Concluding their visit on Wednesday, the team will compile a detailed report for the Centre, which will serve as a basis for recommending central assistance to Assam.
Earlier, on Tuesday, the Opposition called for a special package of Rs 10,000 crore from the Centre for relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction in the flood-affected districts. The Congress party also urged the state government to pass a resolution requesting the Centre to declare the Assam floods a national disaster.