CM visits flood-affected areas in South Salmara-Mankachar district

From A Correspondent

South Salmara, Aug 16: Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal on Tuesday visited flood affected areas in South Salmara-Mankachar district and took stock of the damages. He visited the Sisumara, Jinjiram and the areas affected by the Brahmaputra river confluence and interacted with the flood-affected people and members of local organisations, public representatives there.  

During the interaction with the flood victims, Sonowal said that the government has accorded top priority to the relief material distribution and the district administrations have been pressed into service to meet the requirements. Since the South Salmara-Mankachar district is situated at the sensitive Indo-Bangla border the government has taken the flooding of the district very seriously and district administration has been directed to take urgent measures for relief and rescue operations, he added.

Stating that the district is ravaged by flood every year which causes massive destruction, Sonowal said that a concerted effort has been taken by both the Central and State Governments to find a permanent solution to the problem so that recurring damages and devastations can be avoided in future. Prime Minister rendra Modi has also expressed concern for the havoc caused by flood in the state and has taken the matter very seriously, he said. 

The Chief Minister also directed the Superintendent of Police of the district to provide adequate security to the flood affected areas so that no untoward incident can take place. He also instructed all departments to work in close coordition with the district administration like a team for helping the flood affected people.   

On the other hand, the Chief Minister also held a discussion with the Border Security Force top officials regarding the rescue operations for the flood victims. The BSF officials apprised the Chief Minister about their cooperation with the district administration.  

During the visit, Sonowal also reviewed how the water coming from Meghalaya has caused flood every year in the area and enquired Water Resource Department about different other causes of flood. The Deputy Commissioner apprised the Chief Minister that 25 villages under Mankachar constituency and 201 villages under South Salamara constituency have been ravaged by the current of flood affecting a total of 3 lakh 68 thousand people.  Legal Adviser to the Chief Minister Santanu Bharali also accompanied the Chief Minister during the visit.