Guwahati, Jul 29 (PTI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said that though the floodwaters have receded from most of the affected areas, those hit were not able to return as their houses have either been damaged or filled with mud and silt.
He said it was still difficult to reach some of the worst-hit areas as the roads have been blocked by the mud that came down with the waters from the adjoining hills of Nagaland.
Addressing reporters after flagging off relief materials collected from state 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 huge.” “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 said.
The chief minister said the floods as a whole have subsided, and the situation will improve in days to come.
“It is important now how we resolve the misery of our people,” Sarma said.
To a query whether Assam will seek help from the global community, he said, “We do not need international aid. The central and state governments are competent to deal with the situation.” He said donations are coming in from various parts of the country, and detailed data will be released soon.
The chief minister flagged off a BJP delegation carrying flood relief materials worth Rs 16 crore collected through contributions from party workers for the flood-affected people of Charaideo and Sivasagar districts, a party statement said.
In addition to these two districts, the state BJP will also provide relief materials to the flood-affected people of Jorhat and Golaghat districts.
State BJP president Dilip Saikia, several ministers, BJP MLAs and party workers were also present on the occasion.
The relief materials include 1.8 lakh ‘mekhela chadors’ (traditional Assamese attire for women), 1.8 lakh children’s T-shirts, and 1.5 lakh mosquito nets.
Speaking on the occasion, Sarma expressed gratitude to various organisations, NGOs, and individuals across Assam who have come forward to support the flood victims through different forms of assistance.
He further said that following the directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, he will hold a meeting on Thursday with representatives of all banks operating in Assam to discuss special support measures for loans availed by flood-affected citizens.
Meanwhile, NDA ally Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) also sent relief materials for the affected people in the eastern Assam districts.
AGP president and state cabinet minister Atul Bora flagged off the vehicles carrying the materials from Guwahati.
Senior party leaders, including MPs Phani Bhusan Choudhury and Birendra Prasad Baishya, vice-president Apurba Kumar Bhattacharjya and others, will oversee the relief distribution, an AGP statement said. PTI SSG SSG ACD
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