GUWAHATI: The death toll in the Assam floods rose to 75 on Tuesday after seven more people died in Sivasagar district.Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) informed that the number of people affected by the deluge declined to 3.32 lakh.The ASDMA said all seven deaths were reported from Sivasagar, taking the total fatalities in this year’s floods to 75.No person has been reported missing so far, news agency PTI reported.According to the latest bulletin, seven districts, namely, Sivasagar, Charaideo, Golaghat, Jorhat, Nagaon, Sonitpur and Kamrup Metropolitan, continue to remain affected, with floodwaters impacting 21 revenue circles and 622 villages.The flood-hit population currently stands at 3,32,639.Charaideo remains the worst-affected district with 1,42,756 people impacted, followed by Sivasagar (97,074) and Jorhat (57,371).On Monday, six districts remained affected, with around 4.45 lakh people impacted, PTI reported.The state has 81 operational relief camps sheltering displaced people, while another 34 relief distribution centres are functioning.The Dhansiri (S) river continued to flow above the danger level at Numaligarh in Golaghat district. Floodwaters have also submerged 45,341.98 hectares of crop area.
Government relaxes ex gratia norms, announces additional compensation
Amid the continuing flood situation, the Assam government on Tuesday relaxed the norms for providing ex gratia to the next of kin of those killed or missing in this year’s floods.The government has announced an additional Rs 5 lakh compensation for families of the deceased.Making the announcement during a Facebook Live session, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “So far, the rule was that the post-mortem report has to be submitted to avail government ex gratia by next of kin. We have decided to do away with this, and a certificate from the circle officer will suffice.”“Over and above the Rs 4 lakh ex gratia per victim that is paid at present, we have decided to give an additional Rs 5 lakh to the families of the deceased from the CM’s Relief Fund,” he said.The chief minister also said interim financial assistance would be provided to severely affected families and students through donations collected in the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
PM reviews flood situation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday reviewed the flood situation in Assam during a meeting with Union ministers and BJP MPs from the state at the Parliament House complex.Later, Modi said on X that the Centre was working closely with the Assam government to provide relief to those affected.Thanking the prime minister, Sarma said, “Adarniya Pradhan Mantri ji, thank you for your personal attention to this matter and taking on-the-ground updates regarding the Assam floods.”“Under your leadership, we are working on a war footing to provide relief to our people, and so far we have been able to reach every affected village,” the chief minister said.He added that electricity has been restored in most flood-affected areas and all rescued people are being provided food and medical facilities at relief camps.“We will keep working 24/7 to ensure swift response in this hour and thereafter present a comprehensive rehabilitation roadmap to assist our people, which shall be rooted in the principles of Jan Bhagidari (people’s participation),” Sarma said, thanking the PM for “closely monitoring the situation and offering all assistance to us”.The prime minister had also called Sarma on Saturday to enquire about the prevailing flood situation and assured the state government of full support in tackling the crisis.
Air India Express waives cargo charges
In a relief measure, Air India Express on Tuesday announced that it will waive cargo charges for transporting relief materials to flood-affected Assam.The waiver applies to flights to Guwahati from Delhi, Bengaluru and Kolkata.The airline operates six daily flights from Delhi, three daily services from Bengaluru and two daily flights from Kolkata to Guwahati.Registered NGOs and recognised relief organisations can send relief material by contacting the airline through the email relief@airindiaexpress.com or by calling +91 7982118680.
Livestock protection emerges as key challenge
As eastern Assam grapples with one of its worst floods in recent history, officials said protecting livestock has become a major concern as many affected families depend on cattle and poultry for their livelihoods.State animal husbandry and veterinary minister Nilima Devi said her department has been providing fodder and veterinary care in flood-hit areas of Sivasagar.“During this difficult time of floods, protecting our livestock is equally important,” she said in a social media post.“The government remains committed to protecting every life during this crisis,” Devi added.She also thanked NGOs, including ‘Ahimsa Helping Hands for Paws Foundation’ and ‘Parvah’, for providing food and medicines to cows, dogs, cats, pigs, goats and other animals.Another NGO, ‘Humane World for Animals India’, said it has launched emergency relief efforts in Sivasagar in collaboration with the state veterinary department and local partner ‘Just Be Friendly’.Its teams have been conducting veterinary medical camps, treating injured and sick animals, distributing medicines and supplying tarpaulin sheets to vulnerable cattle-owning families.(With agency inputs)
