MPs Allocate Funds for Flood Recovery in Assam
Support for Flood-Affected Regions
Severe destruction and loss of life due to unprecedented flooding in Upper Assam districts (Photo: @himantabiswa/X)
Jorhat, August 9: Four Members of Parliament have pledged a total of Rs 2 crore from their MPLADS funds to aid in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of areas impacted by flooding in Jorhat, Sivasagar, and Charaideo districts.
Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, announced on Sunday that AGP MPs Birendra Prasad Baishya, Phani Bhushan Choudhury, and Pradan Baruah will contribute Rs 50 lakh, Rs 25 lakh, and Rs 25 lakh, respectively, while he will allocate Rs 1 crore from his MPLADS fund.
During the launch of a distribution initiative for phenyl and bleaching powder at the BJP office in Jorhat, Margherita stated that these funds will be directed towards rebuilding essential infrastructure, including schools and community centers.
This announcement comes as relief efforts transition from immediate food aid to other necessary supplies, with floodwaters receding in various regions.
“Starting today, medical camps initiated by the BJP will commence under Phase I, with approximately 16 doctors present in Jorhat. Relief operations are ongoing in Jorhat and other severely affected districts,” Margherita noted.
So far, around 20,000 kg of bleaching powder and 15,000 bottles of phenyl have been distributed to assist residents impacted by the floods.
Current Flood Situation in Jorhat
Margherita provided an update on the flood conditions in Jorhat, revealing that 288 villages have been affected, with 59 still submerged as of Saturday. Approximately 1,66,084 individuals have been impacted, with 20,209 remaining affected.
The floods have devastated 7,276 hectares of agricultural land, with 376 hectares still underwater. Of the 37 relief camps established in the district, six are still operational, currently housing 733 individuals. During the floods, a total of 9,345 people sought refuge in these camps.
Additionally, 1,17,097 livestock have been affected, with over 17,000 lost to the floods, and these numbers may increase as detailed assessments of the damage began on Saturday.
So far, nine fatalities have been reported in Jorhat, with no new deaths in the last 24 hours.
Security forces have rescued around 29,000 individuals stranded in severely affected areas during the initial phase of the crisis, Margherita added.
As of Sunday, the flood-related death toll in Assam has reached 99, with four individuals still unaccounted for.
While the flood situation in Upper Assam is gradually improving, the Dhansiri River in Golaghat and the Kushiyara River in Karimganj continue to flow above the danger mark.