Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited the flood-affected Nepalikhuti area in Sivasagar district on August 3 to evaluate the ongoing situation and review the relief measures implemented by the authorities. The visit aimed to provide direct support and oversight to the residents impacted by the floods, allowing the Chief Minister to gather firsthand accounts of their experiences and challenges.

During his visit, Sarma interacted with local residents and expressed his commitment to addressing their needs. He examined the extent of the damage caused by the floods, which had significantly impacted lives, property, and agricultural activities. The Chief Minister’s engagement with the community was focused on understanding their immediate requirements, including food and medical assistance.

Government Response to Flood Damage

In response to the devastating floods, Chief Minister Sarma instructed various officials to ensure that relief operations were effectively carried out. He requested timely support for each affected family, emphasising the need for immediate provision of food, clean water, and medical services within relief camps. The state was committed to maintaining uninterrupted supplies of essential resources during this critical time.

Noting the challenges that remained, he acknowledged that while floodwaters were receding, mud, silt, and damage to homes posed a significant problem. District Commissioners were ordered to conduct thorough assessments of crop losses and property damages to facilitate prompt compensation. Sarma assured that the Central and State governments had adequate resources to address the recovery efforts and restore livelihoods promptly.

Minister Pijush Hazarika supported these efforts by reviewing the actions taken by the Water Resources and Agriculture Departments. He highlighted the immediate focus on providing relief and repairing embankments along vulnerable riverbanks in the affected areas.

Initiatives for Power Restoration and Financial Aid

During the visit, Chief Minister Sarma announced advancements in restoring electricity infrastructure within Sivasagar district, where power supply had been significantly compromised. He reported that substantial progress had been made over the previous 24 hours, with numerous transformers successfully reconnected. This effort resulted in a nearly 58 per cent reduction in the number of consumers affected by power outages.

Sarma shared these updates via social media, indicating that teams were moving toward full normalisation of the power supply situation in the region. The quick restoration of electricity was crucial to easing the difficulties faced by residents following the flooding.

In conjunction with these recovery measures, the Chief Minister unveiled an interim flood-relief package worth approximately Rs 112 crore. This initiative included direct financial assistance to around 75,000 impacted families across four districts, with each household receiving Rs 15,000 through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The disbursement effort was planned to continue until August 5.

In addition to family assistance, Sarma introduced an infrastructure support fund of Rs 2 lakh for each flood-damaged school and Anganwadi centre in the affected regions. This funding was intended to facilitate the rebuilding of critical community infrastructures and support local educational and childcare services. Overall, the government’s multifaceted approach aimed to aid recovery and promote resilience among the flood-affected communities in Assam.

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