Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma today said that more than Rs 1,000 crore will be required to repair the massive damage caused by floods and to rehabilitate affected people in four Upper Assam districts — Jorhat, Charaideo, Sivasagar and Golaghat.
Addressing a press conference in Guwahati, the Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured full support and cooperation from the Central Government for the rehabilitation process.
To provide lasting relief to flood victims, a rapid damage assessment drive has been launched from August 9. According to the initial report, over 8,000 families have been assessed so far and estimated losses of around Rs 150 crore have been calculated. The assessment, which will continue till August 30, is expected to cover around 50,000 to 60,000 families in the flood-affected districts of Upper Assam.
The Chief Minister said that 64,891 flood-affected families have recently been given initial assistance of Rs 15,000 each, and another 31,212 families will receive the assistance in the coming days.
From August 20, Rs 1.5 lakh each will be provided for the reconstruction of Namghars damaged in floods in Sivasagar and Charaideo districts.
The Public Works Department has deployed 50 machines to clear debris and mud from roads. Areas like Nepalikhuti, Mazgaon and Kamal Chapori have seen every single house damaged.
The government plans to launch a special ‘Model Housing Scheme’ in consultation with the Central Government and social scientists. Over 26,000 small donations and contributions from various institutions have been received for the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, totaling Rs 142 crore, which will be used for these model housing colonies.
Rs 11.3 crore has been released for the reconstruction of 494 Anganwadi centres damaged in the floods in Upper Assam. Each centre will receive up to Rs 2.5 lakh for repairs.
