PM calls Sonowal, takes stock of Assam flood situation

The Prime Minister enquired about measures taken by Government of Assam to provide succour to the marooned people, damages caused by flood and status of relief and rescue operations.

While talking to the Prime Minister, Chief Minister Sonowal informed about Government’s effective and expeditious measures to reach out to the affected people.

Sonowal informed that already ministers of his cabinet have been directed to rush to affected areas to take stock of flood situation and step up relief and rescue operations ensuring proper arrangement of facilities for flood affected and relief camp inmates.

He also apprised that MPs and MLAs of concerned areas have also been asked to remain in their constituencies and supervise rescue and relief operations.

Informing the Prime Minister that all district administrations have been alerted to fully prepare themselves for tackling the current wave of flood, the Chief Minister also spoke about regular review meetings held by him to monitor the situation.

Sonowal also said that relief camps have been opened for marooned people and relief materials have been distributed to the inmates.

Further saying that relief materials have been distributed through flood relief centres also, the chief minister explained the Prime Minister about availability of safe drinking water, baby food, medical facilities at relief camps and flood hit areas.

The Assam CM also informed that ex-gratia relief to the next of the family members of those killed in the current spate of flood have been disbursed within 48 hours.

Sonowal said that Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department along with SDRF have been carrying out joint operations to rescue the marooned animals and fodder for cattle has been made adequately available at flood hit areas.

Sonowal also informed that Agriculture Department is taking measures to ensure supply of superior quality seeds to the farmers whose crops have been devastated in the flood.

He also explained the prime minister about steps taken by the state PWD department to repair the roads damaged by flood and all necessary steps taken by state water resources department to tackle erosion including ensuring availability of anti-erosion materials for prompt action at affected sites.

The Chief Minister also conveyed the Prime Minister about state government’s decision to procure dredger for excavation of river bed apart from preparing plan for anti-erosion adopting latest technology.

The Prime Minister while talking to the Chief Minister said that central government is taking flood and erosion in Assam very seriously and assured him that union government would extend all support to state government for mitigating the situation.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)