Assam: Digital flood damage survey to begin on August 9, says CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI: In an important step towards ensuring a swift, transparent and technology-driven assessment of flood damage and losses, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma today formally inaugurated a digital survey training programme for flood-affected districts of Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat at the convention centre in Jorhat. The digital flood damage assessment survey would begin on August 9.

The training marks the beginning of a technology-enabled survey process that will support the government in preparing an accurate database for rehabilitation and assistance.

After the first session, the chief minister had in-depth talks with officials from the district administrations of Jorhat, Golaghat, Sivasagar, and Charaideo, as well as senior officials from the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), about how to speed up relief and rehabilitation efforts in the areas hit by floods.

Talking to the media, the Chief Minister said that the district-level training programme for surveyors would commence on August 8, and the digital damage assessment survey would begin on August 9. He said that the first phase of the survey would continue until August 30, during which trained surveyors would undertake a digital assessment of the losses sustained by affected households.

The Chief Minister further said that, once the preliminary survey list is prepared, survey teams will revisit the affected families to verify the collected information and rectify any omissions or discrepancies. He expressed confidence that the two-stage verification process would ensure the preparation of an accurate and reliable database of flood damage by September 10.

Highlighting the use of technology in the exercise, Dr Sarma said that the survey would be conducted entirely through a dedicated digital application, with surveyors capturing geo-tagged photographs of every affected house. He noted that the digital platform would enhance transparency, improve the accuracy of data collection and enable timely processing of rehabilitation measures.

The Chief Minister also said that a preliminary estimate of the financial resources required for the permanent rehabilitation of flood-affected families by both the State and Central Governments is expected to be available by August 30. Once the overall assessment is completed, the government will initiate the process of extending the necessary rehabilitation assistance to the affected people in a systematic and timely manner.

Also Read: Stagnant Floodwaters Keep Over 10,000 Assam Residents Trapped in Relief Camps as Death Toll Reaches 98