GUWAHATI — All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) Chief and Binnakandi MLA Badruddin Ajmal on Wednesday announced a flood relief package of up to Rs 2 crore for people affected by the devastating floods in Assam, with an immediate allocation of Rs 50 lakh through the Ajmal Foundation to support relief operations in the worst-hit districts.
Talking to reporters here, Ajmal said the initial Rs 50 lakh has been released for emergency assistance, while the total relief package may be enhanced to Rs 2 crore depending on the extent of damage caused by the floods.
Expressing concern over the worsening flood situation, the AIUDF Chief said that several rivers and their tributaries are flowing above the danger mark, leading to large-scale inundation, displacement of people and destruction of property across many parts of the state.
Ajmal has been visiting the flood-affected districts of Sivasagar, Charaideo and Jorhat on Wednesday to assess the ground situation and monitor the ongoing relief efforts being carried out by the Ajmal Foundation.
He said that volunteers of the foundation have already been deployed in several flood-hit areas of Upper Assam, where they are distributing cooked food, dry rations, drinking water and other essential relief materials to affected families.
Ajmal also assured that relief assistance would be provided to all affected people without any discrimination and said the foundation would continue extending support as long as required.
The announcement comes amid a grim flood situation in Assam.
According to the latest update shared by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, floods between April 29 and July 21 have affected 7,27,506 people across 25 districts of the state.
Official figures showed that 74 revenue circles and 1,700 villages have been impacted, while 95 relief camps are sheltering 18,574 displaced people.
Another 469 relief distribution centres are functioning to provide essential supplies.
The state has reported 31 flood-related deaths so far, with Sivasagar accounting for the highest number of fatalities at 14, followed by Charaideo (6), Jorhat (5), Dhemaji (2), Golaghat (2), Sonitpur (1) and Karbi Anglong (1).
Three persons remain missing, while floodwaters have also damaged 401 houses completely and partially damaged another 1,848 houses.
Gaurav Gogoi Demands Stepping Up of Relief Operations
Assam Congress president and Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi on Wednesday urged the state government to step up rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts in flood-hit areas, saying the priority should be to ensure timely assistance to every affected family.
Gogoi visited several flood-affected localities in his Jorhat parliamentary constituency, where he interacted with displaced residents, reviewed the situation on the ground and distributed relief materials among those affected by the deluge.
Expressing concern over the devastation caused by the floods, the Congress leader said large parts of Assam continue to face a humanitarian crisis, with thousands of families forced to leave their homes as rising waters inundated villages and damaged infrastructure.
“The flood situation in many parts of Assam, including Jorhat, remains extremely serious. Many people have lost their homes and livelihoods, while several families are mourning the loss of their loved ones,” Gogoi said.
Gogoi also called for adequate compensation for the families of those who lost their lives in the disaster and urged the authorities to accelerate restoration of essential services in flood-hit areas. He said the Congress would continue to monitor the situation closely and raise issues concerning the welfare of flood-affected people at every appropriate platform.
According to the latest flood update released by the Assam government, more than 7.27 lakh people have been affected across 25 districts between April 29 and July 21.
