Assam CM visits flood-hit Darrang, orders rebuilding of breached embankments
Guwahati, Aug 8
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday visited flood‑affected areas of Darrang district and took stock of the situation following breaches in embankments along the Noa and Kulsi rivers that inundated several villages.
Sarma visited Bengabara and Naharbari under the Mangaldai Assembly constituency to assess the extent of flood damage and review relief and restoration measures being undertaken by the district administration.
At Bengabara village, the Chief Minister inspected a breached portion of the embankment along the Noa River and reviewed the ongoing repair work. The breach occurred a few days ago and resulted in floodwaters entering several villages, causing hardship to residents.
Sarma directed officials to ensure that restoration work was carried out expeditiously and said the government would adopt special measures to rebuild the damaged embankments with enhanced strength to minimise the risk of future breaches.
The Chief Minister also visited relief camps set up at an under‑construction Anganwadi Centre at Bengabara and at Outala Higher Secondary School. He interacted with flood‑affected people staying at the camps and enquired about their well‑being, food, healthcare and other essential requirements.
Sarma assured displaced families that the government would provide all necessary assistance at the earliest in accordance with established relief norms.
He later visited Naharbari, where he inspected the breached embankment along the Kulsi River and assessed the damage caused by flooding.
The Chief Minister said the recent floods had caused considerable hardship to people in the affected areas, particularly because of breaches in river embankments. He stressed the need for durable restoration measures instead of temporary repairs.
Sarma said the state government would take special steps to strengthen and reconstruct the breached embankments while ensuring that relief and rehabilitation measures reached all eligible affected families without delay.
Health and Family Welfare Minister and Darrang Guardian Minister Ashok Singhal, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Minister and local MLA Nilima Devi, MLA Paramananda Rajbongshi, Darrang District Commissioner and senior officials of the district administration and concerned departments accompanied the Chief Minister during the visit.
The visit came as Assam continues to deal with the impact of the ongoing flood situation, with the state administration stepping up relief, rehabilitation and restoration efforts in affected areas.
— IANS
Reader Comments
At least the CM is showing urgency and visiting the ground. The embankments need to be rebuilt stronger as he said. But I hope the relief reaches the affected families quickly. Our farmers suffer so much during monsoon every year. 😔
Solid work by CM Sarma and his team. But why are embankments breaching every single year? Need to bring in IIT experts and build modern flood control systems. Temporary jute bags and mud won't solve this problem permanently. The state needs infrastructure that can withstand heavy rains.
The CM visiting relief camps and checking on people's wellbeing is commendable. But I wonder about the long-term rehabilitation plans. Many families have lost everything - homes, crops, livelihoods. Hope the government provides proper compensation and not just temporary relief. 🤞
This is a recurring issue in Assam. Every year we see the same pattern - heavy rains, breached embankments, flooded villages. The government should have a comprehensive river management plan rather than just reacting after disaster strikes. Also need better forecasting and evacuation plans. Respectfully, the CM's visit is good but we need more systemic changes.
Great initiative by CM Sarma to personally inspect the damage. However, he should also address the root cause - is climate change being factored into our infrastructure planning? The Brahmaputra and its tributaries are becoming more unpredictable. We need climate-resilient solutions.
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