Guwahati: Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said on Friday that the Centre has assured the Assam government of all possible assistance to tackle the ongoing flood crisis, announcing that a high-level Central team will soon visit the state to assess the extent of the damage and recommend further support.
Expressing concern over the flood situation, Sonowal said the disaster has affected more than 7.42 lakh people across 11 districts, causing widespread damage to agriculture, livestock, homes and commercial establishments.
He also expressed grief over the loss of lives in the floods and extended his condolences to the bereaved families.
“The Centre and the Assam government stand firmly with every citizen affected by the floods. We pray for those who lost their lives, and rescue agencies are continuing efforts to trace those who are still missing,” the Union Minister said in a statement.
Sonowal said the flood situation in Assam was reviewed during the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, where the Centre reiterated its commitment to supporting the state in relief and rehabilitation efforts.
He added that the Central government has remained in constant touch with the Assam government since the onset of the floods and has assured Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of every possible assistance.
According to the Union Minister, a multi-disciplinary team comprising officials from various Central Ministries will soon visit Assam to conduct an extensive assessment of the flood-hit areas.
The delegation will hold discussions with the state government before submitting its report to the Centre.
“Based on the team’s assessment, the Union government will extend special financial assistance to Assam for relief, rehabilitation and restoration work,” Sonowal said.
Praising the Assam government’s response to the disaster, Sonowal added that Ministers, Members of Parliament, legislators, panchayat representatives and district administrations have been working in coordination to carry out rescue and relief operations across the affected districts.
He noted that more than 2,000 villages have been impacted by the floods, while hundreds of relief camps have been opened to shelter displaced families.
Rescue and relief operations are continuing in Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat, Golaghat, Hojai, Kamrup, Kamrup Metropolitan, Dibrugarh, Nagaon, Karbi Anglong and Tinsukia districts.
Appealing for collective support, Sonowal urged social organisations, voluntary groups and citizens across the country to stand with the flood-affected people.
“This is a time for compassion, collective responsibility and solidarity. Together, we can overcome this disaster, and the Central government will continue to extend every possible support for relief, rehabilitation and recovery in Assam,” he said.
(ANS)
