Flood fury: Rajth calls up Sonowal, assures Central help

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, July 26: Over 15,70,571 lakh people are reeling under the fury of floods in 19 districts of Assam. Over 2,653 villages are affected in the current deluge. The Kaziranga and Mas tiol parks have also been submerged in swirling flood waters.

 District administrations have set up more than 322 relief camps and intensified relief measures. The Army along with tiol and State Disaster Response Force teams have been deployed for relief and rescue works.

Flood situation has been reported to be critical in Majuli, the world’s largest river island.

Union Home Minister Rajth Singh had a telephonic conversation with Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal today to get an update on the current flood situation in the State and assured that the Centre will soon send a team to assess the damage.

Calling on behalf of Prime Minister rendra Modi, Singh assured all Central help to the State. This was informed by State Water Resource Minister Keshab Mahanta in the Assembly today.

The Assam government has said relief and rescue measure in flood hit areas is a priority at present. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said the Chief Minister would take up the matter of release of water from Bhutan’s Kurisu dam with the Centre.

Patowary said the Chief Minister has instructed all deputy commissioners of affected districts to remain alert.

In Guwahati, the Brahmaputra was reported to be flowing above the danger level at 7 pm on Tuesday.