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TEZPUR: The Minister of Revenue and Disaster Management, Government of Assam, Keshab Mahanta, chaired a high-level review meeting on flood preparedness and Mission Basundhara on Sunday at the DC Office Conference Hall, Sonitpur.
The meeting was attended by MLA of Naduar LAC Padma Hazarika, MLA of Tezpur LAC Prithiraj Rava, MLA of Barchalla LAC Ganesh Kumar Limbu, MLA of Rangapara LAC Krishna Kamal Tanti, along with Gyandendra Dev Tripathi, Principal Secretary to the Government of Assam of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, District Commissioner Ankur Bharali, Superintendent of Police Barun Purkayastha, CDC Naduar-cum-CEO DDMA Sonitpur Manash Kumar Saikia, CDC Dhekiajuli Dyotiva Bora, circle officers, and other key officials.
The review focused on evaluating Sonitpur district’s preparedness for the upcoming flood season and reviewing the progress of Mission Basundhara 3.0. Officials from key stakeholder departments, including the Army, NDRF, SDRF, and Civil Defence, participated in the meeting and shared updates and action plans aimed at strengthening the disaster management framework. Discussions were held on the proper awareness and implementation of SDRF norms, department-specific responsibilities, and training of emergency response teams. The minister emphasized the importance of preparing detailed flood maps of the district based on historical data, proximity to water bodies, embankments, and other standardized indicators to ensure targeted mitigation efforts. Measures for ensuring adequate fodder for livestock, promoting flood-resistant and late-sowing varieties of paddy through the Agriculture Department, and advance communication of flood-prone areas to concerned departments were also discussed. The current status of vulnerable structures, including schools and embankments, was reviewed. The importance of community awareness and participation in flood mitigation efforts was highlighted. The meeting also addressed preparedness in the health sector and social welfare, such as the availability of medicines, manpower, and the inclusion of child-friendly spaces in relief camps.
Speaking to the media, Mahanta informed that Rs 1.75 crore has been allotted to Sonitpur for early flood preparedness, with Rs 50 lakh each earmarked for Dhekiajuli and Naduar co-districts. The minister also reviewed the current status and progress of Mission Basundhara 3.0 implementation in the district.
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