Assam Floods: Death Toll Rises To 78 As Situation Shows Signs Of Improvement
Over 3 lakh still reeling under the impact of floods across seven districts of the state.
Guwahati: The flood situation in Assam continued to ease on Thursday with receding water levels in many areas, but authorities remain on high alert amid a fresh IMD warning of heavy rains that could trigger more flooding, waterlogging, and landslides. The death toll from the ongoing deluge this year has climbed to 78 after three more people died in Sivasagar and Golaghat districts, even as over 3 lakh people continued to remain affected across seven districts of the state.
The worst-hit districts are---Charaideo , Sivasagar and Jorhat. Other affected districts include Golaghat, Nagaon, Biswanath, and Kamrup Metropolitan (the latter facing urban flooding in several localities). Floodwaters have impacted 21 revenue circles and 551 villages, with over 21,523 hectares of cropland still submerged.
Meanwhile, the Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) comprising of six members from different ministries of Government of India (GoI) wrapped-up their on-spot flood assessment visit to the worst flood affected districts i.e. Charaideo, Sivasagar, Jorhat and Golaghat of the state on Thursday.
Assam chief secretary Ravi Kota alongwith a team of officers briefed the Central Team on the factors of the recent flood situation in the state and the current challenges occurred due to this unprecedented calamity. The Central Team also shared their experiences of visiting the districts across the state.
The Government of Assam also informed about the action taken by the government for rescue of the stranded people with the help of SDRF, NDRF, F&ES and local volunteers. Further, the relief as per the guideline were distributed to the flood affected citizens of these 4 worst flood-hit districts.
More than 16,500 displaced people are sheltering in 71 relief camps, while another 72,000+ are being assisted through 30 relief distribution centres. Multiple agencies, including the Army, NDRF, SDRF, and medical/veterinary teams, continue rescue and relief operations.
Severely affected families in the four worst-hit districts (Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat, and Golaghat) will receive Rs 15,000 directly in bank accounts for immediate household needs like cleaning silt and restoring basics.
Free textbooks, uniforms, and monetary grants (Rs 1,000 for HS to Rs 5,000 for PG students) from August 1. Special Orunodoi instalments of Rs 2,500 for beneficiaries in affected districts.
Ex-gratia to the families of those killed has also been increased to Rs 9 lakh per family (Rs 4 lakh standard with additional Rs 5 lakh from CM’s Relief Fund). Post-mortem reports are no longer mandatory; a certificate from the circle officer suffices. Families of persons missing for over a month are also eligible for Rs 9 lakh, the authorities said.
