Assam floods: Amit Shah assures Centre's help as 3 lakh remain affected
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday spoke to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to review the flood situation in the state and assured
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday spoke to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to review the flood situation in the state and assured all possible help from the Centre for relief and restoration. The call came as floodwaters receded in many places, but the state government said many people were still unable to return home because their houses had been damaged or filled with mud and silt. Read Full Story The floods in Assam have claimed 78 lives this year so far, while more than 3 lakh people remained affected in seven districts. Even as the situation improved, the India Meteorological Department warned of heavy to very heavy rain and thunderstorms over the next three days in isolated parts of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, raising concerns for districts along the border. An Inter-Ministerial Central Team also finished a four-day visit to assess the damage, and Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya held a review meeting. Addressing reporters after flagging off relief materials collected from BJP workers, Sarma said, "The flood situation has improved as there has been no heavy rainfall after July 21. But the problem is that the damage has been so heavy." "People cannot return to their homes as their houses have either been damaged or filled with mud and silt.
It is still difficult to reach some areas as roads have been blocked with mud that was carried down from the hills of Nagaland along with the water," he added. He said the floods had largely subsided, and the situation would improve in the coming days, adding, "It is important now how we resolve the misery of our people." On whether Assam would seek help from the global community, the chief minister said, "We do not need international aid. The central and state governments are competent to deal with the situation." He also said donations were coming in from different parts of the country and detailed data would be released soon. Sarma said that, following the directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, he would hold a meeting on Thursday with representatives of all banks operating in Assam to discuss special support measures for loans taken by flood-affected people. In a social media post, Sarma said Shah had called him a short while earlier to review the ongoing relief efforts in the wake of the Assam floods. He said the Union home minister asked about the ground situation and assured him that the Centre would continue to provide every assistance needed for relief, restoration and rebuilding.
The BriefWire