GUWAHATI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday talked over phone with Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and enquired about the scale of devastation caused by the current wave of flood in the state where the flood situation has remained grim with death toll crossing over 10 ad Army have been called out to help in rescue operation in western Assam areas.
Chief Minister Sonowal apprised the Prime Minister about the various measures taken by the government for providing relief to the flood affected people and also informed that the administrations of all 19 flood hit districts have been directed to ensure speedy relief distribution to the victims, a source in the CM’s office said.
During the course of the telephonic conversation, the Prime Minister assured all cooperation from the central government in overcoming the havoc caused by flood and informed that all necessary steps would be taken for helping the state government to mitigate the problem.
Principal Secretary of Prime Minister’s Office Nripendra Mishra on Sunday directed the Chief Secretary of the state V.K.Pipersenia to submit a report to the PMO detailing the damage and devastation caused by the current wave of floods in the state.
The Chief Minister has directed the district deputy commissioners to provide ex-gratia money to the next of kin of those killed in flood within 48 hours of every such death.
Meanwhile, the Red Horns Division of Indian Army moved swiftly to the aid of flood-hit western Assam and in Karbi Anglong in Central Assam . In response to a call for help from the civil administration , the Army sent out multiple teams in areas of Bodoland Territorial Autonomous Districts (BTAD) and Karbi Anglong district of Assam. About 3000 people trapped in their marooned villages were rescued amidst strong water currents and taken to relief camps. The Army have deployed its boats to reach the marooned people and made a number of trips against the swift current to rescue them.
All branches of the Armed Forces including Indian Air Force in the region are in a state of full readiness to launch flood rescue operations when required to provide speedy relief and succor to the affected people.
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday visited flood relief camp at Bhismak LP School at Panchmile, Sadiya and took stock of the arrangements for the inmates. He also visited Kundil riverside over Kundil Bridge and directed Water Resource Department to take immediate measures to stop erosion.
It is to be mentioned that continuous erosion by Kundil river has been causing serious threat to Panchmile, Lakhimi Gaon, Bogoribari apart from threatening Kundil Bridge. Sonowal informed that dredging of Kundil river would be taken up in winter season so that the change in the course of river can be tackled.
Sonowal further informed that that state government is taking serious steps for solving the problems of Amarpur area including improvement of surface communication. In this regard he informed that a proposal for constructions of two bridges connecting Amarpur has been submitted to central government and the Ministry of Roads and Highways will conduct a survey for further necessary action.
Sonowal also visited Aithan Ring Bund at Bogibeel, Dibrugarh and took stock of the condition of the flood affected people there. He assured the flood affected people of adequate relief measures and said that district administration has already been pressed into the service to meet the requirement of flood victims.
Saying that once flood is over the government would take up rehabilitation measures and strengthening of the embankments would be done on war footing, Sonowal stated the government is serious in its pursuit of a permanent solution to the recurring floods. He also sat for a discussion with the Indian Railway authorities and discussed with them the expeditious construction of road cum rail bridge at Bogibeel.