Flood-hit Assam seeks central assistance

The Assam government has asked the Centre to raise ex-gratia to the next of kin of those who died and sustained injuries in the current wave of flood and enhance central assistance for damaged houses and cropped land.

In a telephonic conversation with Rajnath Singh, Union home minister, Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi raised the demand today. Singh while assuring all possible central assistance, asked Gogoi to submit a proposal in this regard. Gogoi described the flood situation in Assam as 'grim and critical'.

At least 15 people have lost their lives in the current wave of floods, either being drowned in the floods or killed in landslides across the state. In all likelihood, the death toll is feared would to go up. Around 3.5 lakh people have been hit by the current wave fo flash floods in Assam which occurred due to incessant rains for continous three since last Saturday in Assam and adjoining state of Meghalaya. The situation in Garo Hills of Meghalaya is further grim and at least 35 people have lost their lives in the state. The level of devastation in Garo Hills has been unprecendented. Being adjacent to Meghalaya's Garo Hills, the districts of Goalpara and Kamrup of Assam are the worst hit. Around 85,000 people in Assam are presently taking shelter in 94 relief camps opned by the state administration.

Normal life in Guwahati city too was thrown out of gear as several areas were under either waist-deep  or knee-deep water, including the area that houses the MLA hostel. At least five people lost their lives in and around Guwahati city due to landslides and landslips. However, there has been slight improvement in the situation across the state following a let-up in rainfall in the past 24 hours.

Gogoi apprised the Union home minister about the steps initiated by the state government to rescue the marooned people in the flood-hit districts of Goalpara, Dhubri, Kamrup (Metro), Kamrup and other districts with the assistance of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Army and paramilitary forces. Helicopters of Air Force were also pressed into service to rescue marooned people.