How Bad The Flood Situation Is In Assam, And What Centre And State Governments Have Done To Provide Relief

Assam has been going through massive flooding with rivers overflowing and significant areas now submerged under water. As per Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), 54 lakh people have been adversely affected due to floods. Currently, 845 relief camps are operational housing around 2.75 lakh inmates.

Extent of Damage

The Floods have triggered incidents of landslides as well. The death toll, till June 23, had risen to 100 since June 15.

Some of the worst affected districts include Barpeta, Darrang and Bajali.

With most of the rivers flowing above the danger levels, 33 districts of the state, including 127 revenue circles and 5,137 villages have been impacted by the rising flood water. Bridges connecting to villages have collapsed creating difficulties in reaching out to people stranded.

Some of the highways have also been underwater causing hindrance in road connectivity and communication.

Many of the anti-poaching camps at Orang National Park and Tiger Reserve have been inundated.

Trains have been cancelled and railway tracks have suffered damage.

Centre and State Working in Tandem

Both the Centre and State governments have launched large-scale rescue and relief operations, reaching out to people stranded in flood-ravaged areas.

The Army, CRPF, BSF, NDRF, and SDRF have been mobilised to carry out the rescue operations while the Indian Air Force has been called in to drop food, water and essential items.

The Home Ministry has dispatched four units of NDRF from Bhubaneswar with total 105 personnel to Silchar to carry out rescue operations in Barak Valley, on CM’s request.

It has also been reported that the services of the IAF have been sought to carry 1 lakh litre of fuel supplies to flood-affected areas of Silchar, wherein highways have been closed off and vehicular movement has been restricted.

On Ground Stock-Taking

CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, along with his ministers and officials, has been on the ground visiting areas to take first-hand stock of the damage and destruction caused due to the natural disaster.

According to reports, he has instructed his officials to ensure that the suffering of the people at the relief camps is mitigated. During his interactions, he is seen assuring people of all possible assistance, including reconstruction of their houses, once the flood waters recede.

His presence on the ground has helped in accelerating the pace of rescue and relief operations while ensuring that all departments work in tandem with each other.

The CM has visited most affected districts reaching stranded areas through rubber boats, train and has undertaken an aerial survey to assess the extent of destruction caused due to recent floods.

Considering the scale of devastation caused, Sarma has expressed his intent to find a permanent solution to the annual floods taking a toll on the people and property.

Heartening Story of Rescue and Relief

Responding to an SOS from a husband sent via mail to the CM, deputy commissioner and the NDRF, a nine-month pregnant woman was rescued from a flood-ravaged Silchar by the Cachar district administration. It is to be noted that almost the whole town is submerged, making it impossible for ambulances to respond to SOS calls.