Assam flood situation improving, rescue reaches more cut-off areas: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on July 25 said the flood situation in the state has shown signs of improvement, allowing rescue and relief teams to access several previously cut-off areas, even as the death toll from the deluge climbed to 62.

Addressing the media, Sarma said the Indian Air Force continues airlifting relief materials to inaccessible locations, while the Indian Army has also been deployed to strengthen rescue and relief efforts in areas that remain out of reach by road.

"Today the flood situation has improved a little and we are now able to reach many places. Airlifting by the Air Force is still ongoing today. We have also involved the Army so that flood relief can reach places we cannot access," the chief minister said.

He added that medical camps, health camps and relief operations have gathered momentum since Friday.

"Medical camps, health camps, and relief operations have gained momentum since yesterday and are continuing well today. I believe that if today goes well, we will be able to provide more facilities starting tomorrow," Sarma said.

The chief minister also said drones are being used to support relief operations and assess conditions in flood-affected areas.

Providing an update on the flood situation in Upper Assam, Sarma said the earlier concern over water released from the Doyang river affecting Golaghat district has largely subsided.

"Water from Doyang could have affected Golaghat, but that risk is now gone because the Dhansiri and the Brahmaputra are flowing at much lower levels, allowing the Doyang's water to drain out freely. As a result, concerns regarding Golaghat have largely eased," he said.

Meanwhile, state ministers Susanta Borgohain, Bimal Borah and Keshab Mahanta are in Charaideo and Sivasagar districts on Saturday to oversee rescue and relief operations on the ground.