Assam floods: Centre pledges full aid, high-level team to visit soon
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday, 24 July confirmed that the Centre has assured the Assam government of all possible assistance to tackle the ongoing flood crisis, and that a high-level Central team will soon visit the state to assess damage and recommend further support. The floods have so far affected more than 7.42 lakh people across 11 districts, causing widespread destruction to agriculture, livestock, homes and commercial establishments.
Cabinet Review and Central Commitment
The flood situation in Assam was taken up during a Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, where the Centre reiterated its commitment to supporting relief and rehabilitation efforts. Sonowal said the Central government has remained in constant contact with the state administration since the onset of the floods and has personally assured Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of every possible assistance.
'The Centre and the Assam government stand firmly with every citizen affected by the floods. We pray for those who lost their lives, and rescue agencies are continuing efforts to trace those who are still missing,' Sonowal said in a statement.
Multi-Disciplinary Assessment Team
A multi-disciplinary team comprising officials from various Central Ministries will soon travel to Assam to conduct an extensive on-ground assessment of flood-hit areas. The delegation will hold discussions with the state government before submitting its report to the Centre. 'Based on the team's assessment, the Union government will extend special financial assistance to Assam for relief, rehabilitation and restoration work,' Sonowal said.
Scale of Destruction Across Districts
More than 2,000 villages have been inundated, and hundreds of relief camps have been opened to shelter displaced families. Rescue and relief operations are ongoing across Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat, Golaghat, Hojai, Kamrup, Kamrup Metropolitan, Dibrugarh, Nagaon, Karbi Anglong, and Tinsukia districts. Ministers, Members of Parliament, legislators, panchayat representatives and district administrations have been working in coordination on the ground, according to Sonowal.
Appeal for National Solidarity
Sonowal also appealed to social organisations, voluntary groups and citizens across the country to stand with the flood-affected people of Assam. 'This is a time for compassion, collective responsibility and solidarity. Together, we can overcome this disaster, and the Central government will continue to extend every possible support for relief, rehabilitation and recovery in Assam,' he said. The dispatch of the Central assessment team is expected to set the stage for a formal financial relief package in the weeks ahead.