Central govt team inspects flood-affected areas in Assam's Golaghat
Golaghat, July 29
A six-member Central Government team inspected the flood-affected areas of Assam's Golaghat district to assess the damage caused by the recent deluge.
The inter-ministerial team, led by a Joint Secretary from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), conducted a ground evaluation of the affected regions and held detailed discussions with the local district administration to review the situation.
Speaking to reporters on the visit, Assam State Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Keshab Mahanta highlighted that the central assessment is a crucial step toward securing financial relief for the state.
"An inter-ministerial team was sent by the Ministry of Home Affairs from the Central Government. The team, led by the Joint Secretary (Home), assessed the situation and then discussed it. Discussions were held with the district administration. Based on the report, we will receive assistance from the Central Government," Minister Keshab Mahanta stated.
The death toll in the devastating Assam floods has climbed to 75, with seven more fatalities reported from Sivasagar district on Tuesday.
According to the latest report from the Disaster Reporting and Information Management System (DRIMS) as of July 28, all seven recent deaths occurred due to drowning in Sivasagar. Currently, seven districts--Sivasagar, Charaideo, Golaghat, Jorhat, Nagaon, Sonitpur, and Kamrup (Metropolitan)--remain severely affected by the deluge.
The floods have impacted a population of 3,32,639 across 622 villages in 21 revenue circles. Agricultural damage remains extensive, with 45,341.98 hectares of crop area currently submerged. The Dhansiri river at Numaligarh continues to flow above the danger level, though no rivers have yet crossed the highest flood level mark.
Following the surge in fatalities, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a major relief package for the affected population.
In a post on X, CM Sarma said, "We will leave no stone unturned to support our people and help them rebuild their lives.
"Under the new relief measures, the state government has waived the post-mortem requirement for the disbursement of Rs 4 lakh ex-gratia in flood-related deaths. In a significant move, the Chief Minister announced an additional Rs 5 lakh from the CM Relief Fund for the families of the deceased, bringing the total assistance to Rs 9 lakh. Families of persons missing for over 30 days will also be eligible for Rs 4 lakh ex-gratia.
To provide immediate relief to the displaced, over one lakh severely flood-affected families will receive Rs 15,000 in cash for essential needs. The government also announced that the 'Orunodoi' scheme will resume on August 1, with beneficiaries in Charaideo, Jorhat, Golaghat, and Sivasagar receiving a special instalment of Rs 2,500 for the month.
The package also focuses heavily on the student community. From August 1, students in severely affected districts will receive book grants ranging from Rs 1,000 for Higher Secondary students to Rs 5,000 for Post-Graduate students. The state will also provide free textbooks and assistance for school uniforms, while reissuing lost Class X and XII marksheets and certificates free of cost.
According to the DRIMS report, the agricultural sector has taken a massive hit with 45,341.98 hectares of crop area currently submerged. The Dhansiri River at Numaligarh is reported to be flowing above the danger level.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I'm from Jorhat and my family's paddy fields are completely submerged. 45,000 hectares of crop land gone! The government should provide seeds and fertilizers for the next season, not just cash. Farmers need to replant as soon as waters recede. 🌾
The free textbook and marksheet reissue initiative is thoughtful. Many students lost everything in this flood. But I wish the central team would also look at why the Dhansiri river is flooding every year - need proper embankments and dredging. No more band-aid solutions!
Waiving post-mortem for ex-gratia is a sensible move - it will speed up compensation for grieving families. But Rs 15,000 for over one lakh families is still not enough when people have lost everything. Hope the central team recommends more funds. 🙏
As someone whose family went through the 2020 Assam floods, I appreciate the Orunodoi scheme restarting. But the government needs to focus on early warning systems and disaster preparedness. Every year it's the same story - flood, relief, repeat. 😤
The student book grants from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 are helpful, but what about school infrastructure that has been damaged? Many schools in Golaghat are still waterlogged. Children can't study if schools are closed. Need a comprehensive rebuilding plan. 📚
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