Assam is sinking, no respite in sight

Assam has been reeling under floods which have affected over 25 lakh people in 29 districts this year, with the administration setting up 1,098 relief camps and distribution centres in the state.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced assistance of ₹2,350 crore for the North East, out of which ₹2,000 crore will be used towards flood relief and rehabilitation, while ₹250 crore would be released immediately to Assam to help the state take up relief and rehabilitation work.

Though the current wave of floods has receded, six districts are still reeling under it and over 2,000 people have taken shelter in the relief camps. Over two lakh hectare cropland have been damaged by the deluge.

Over 90 animals, including seven rhinoceros, have died due to the flooding in the Kaziranga National Park in Assam.

As expected the Chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal has requested the central team currently assessing flood situation in Assam to develop state’s 5000 km stretch of embankment under Prime Minister’s special flood and erosion control programme.

Such promises are usually forgotten once the waters recede. Here’s a glimpse into the situation on ground in Assam