Centre grants Rs 346 crore for Assam flood, CM seeks fund to strengthen embankments

For an effective management of relief and rehabilitation works, the Centre on July 22^nd, 2020 assured a Rs 346 crore package for the devastating flood that continues to wreak havoc in Assam. This would be the first installment to be released by the Ministry of Jal Shakti under Flood Management Programme (FMP).

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said, “The Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has urged to send more proposals for sanctioning under Disaster Risk Management Fund which would enable the State Government to receive more funds from Central Government for flood and erosion.”

The Union Minister held a video conference with the Chief Minister to take stock of the flood situation in the state. The CM apprised Sekhawat about the scale of devastation caused by the current wave of flood along with erosion in the state and various steps taken by the state government to manage the situation.

CM Sonowal also appealed the Union Minister to allocate funds to the state government to strengthen 5000 kms of embankments built since 1951 in the state, which would now be turned into road cum embankments. The Union Jal Shakti Minister urged the Chief Minister to send a letter stating the same and his ministry would incorporate those proposals in the next year’s plan.

Also read: Assam flood claims 89 lives, over 24 lakh still affected

Meanwhile, in response to the request made by the Chief Minister to Central Government to take up the matter of floodwaters from Bhutan inundating a large area in lower Assam every year, Sekhawat assured that the Central Government would soon hold discussions with Bhutan Government in this regard so that permanent solutions can be found.  The Union Minister also stressed on the need to adopt latest technologies in flood management and assured all help from his ministry in finding lasting solutions to the problems of flood and erosion.

Flood situation worsens in Assam

The ravaging annual floods have claimed a total of 89 lives so far in Assam so far. A total of 26 districts are reeling under floodwaters, according to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority.

A total of 26,31,343 people and 1,15,515 hectares of cropland across 2323 villages have been affected by the flood. So far 9,65,435 big animals, 4,68,846 small animals and 9,55,120 poultry are also affected.

Several rivers including the mighty Brahmaputra in different parts of Assam are flowing above danger level, causing floods and consequently leaving thousands of families homeless.

The Brahmaputra is flowing above the danger level at Neematighat in Jorhat and Dhubri. Jia Dharali at NT Road Crossing and Kopili at Nagaon and Dhansiri at Numaligarh.

As per the latest data, the flood-affected districts are Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Biswanath, Sonitpur, Darrang, Baksa, Nalbari, Barpeta, Chirang, Bongaigaon, Kokrajhar, Dhubri, South Salmara, Goalpara, Kamrup, Kamrup (M), Morigaon, Nagaon, Golaghat, Jorhat, Majuli, Sivasagar, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Karbi-Anglong and Cachar. A total of 468 relief camps have been installed. In the relief camps, there are so far 50,559 people.

Meanwhile, the Kaziranga National park is badly affected with 90% area submerged and according to Forest department report, a total of 120 animals have died in this flood season and 147 animals have been rescued.

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