Assam seeks Rs 1,000 cr from centre as flood relief

Assam has sought Rs 1,000 crore as immediate relief from Centre to rehabilitate the flood affected people.

The devastating wave of flood has claimed at least 36 lives in Assam, besides leaving a trail of destruction in lower Assam. Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi today made the demand of Rs 1,000 crore when Prime Minister Narendra Modi called him to enquire about the extent of damage caused due to the floods.

The districts of Goalpara, Dhubri, Kamrup and Kamrup (Metro) bore the maximum brunt of the flash floods that occurred due to cloud-burst in and Garo Hills area of Meghalaya which was followed by heavy rains in Garo Hills as well as adjoining districts of Assam. Gogoi said the state would be able to make a correct assessment of the damages caused only after the flood waters recede.

"The extent of damages would be known only after the flood waters recede. The state needs at least Rs 1,000 crore for immediate relief and rehabilitation of the flood affected people," he said.

Gogoi also apprised Modi about the loss of lives, extensive damages to roads, bridges, houses and cropped land by the recent wave of floods causing huge losses to the state. 

The chief minister also informed the Prime Minister about the slew of steps initiated by the state government to rescue the marooned people and to provide relief to the affected.The extent of damage and destruction in Garo Hills of Meghalaya has been further high.

Around 45 people have been killed in Meghalaya and the magnitude of the floods has been termed as unprecedented.

The death toll in both the states is feared would go up as many persons are reported to be missing and dead bodies are now being recovered and fished out as flood waters were receding.