Guwahati, July 31 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has urged the Centre to recognise the recent floods in Upper Assam as an “atypical, high-intensity, rapid-onset” disaster and sought a dedicated central assistance package for the worst-affected districts to support relief, rehabilitation and long-term reconstruction.
In a post on Thursday on social media platform X, Chief Minister Sarma said the Inter-Ministerial Central Team, constituted by the Union government, visited the flood-ravaged districts of Upper Assam to conduct an on-ground assessment of the damage and review the ongoing relief, restoration and rehabilitation efforts.
The Chief Minister added that the visit was undertaken following an assurance by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah that the Centre would closely assess the flood situation in Assam.
“The floods this year have been on an unprecedented scale, leaving behind a trail of devastation which our Double Engine Government will mitigate to ease the sufferings of our people,” Chief Minister Sarma said.
According to the Chief Minister, the central team was briefed on the extensive damage caused to critical infrastructure, agriculture, public utilities and livelihoods across the affected districts.
He said the state government submitted a detailed memorandum containing seven key demands aimed at strengthening both immediate relief measures and long-term disaster resilience.
Among the major requests, Assam sought recognition of the Upper Assam floods as an atypical and high-intensity disaster, allowing for greater flexibility in damage assessment and financial assistance under existing norms.
The state also requested a dedicated Central support package for the worst-hit districts of Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat, covering relief, housing reconstruction, restoration of public infrastructure and revival of livelihoods.
The memorandum further sought relaxation of documentation and eligibility requirements under Central and Centrally Sponsored Schemes so that affected households could access assistance without procedural hurdles.
The Assam government also proposed a district-wise reconstruction plan for damaged roads, bridges, schools, healthcare institutions, drinking water facilities and power infrastructure.
Highlighting the vulnerability of hill-fed rivers, the state urged the Centre to undertake a rapid multi-agency assessment of breached embankments and strengthen flood protection infrastructure before the onset of the next monsoon season.
In addition, Assam called for convergence of disaster relief with national schemes relating to housing, agriculture, drinking water, healthcare and social protection, while seeking targeted assistance for women, children, senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
The state also proposed the establishment of a dedicated North-East disaster risk reduction mechanism to improve coordination among Assam and the seven other northeastern states across all stages of disaster management, including preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation.
Expressing confidence in the outcome of the visit, Chief Minister Sarma said the Inter-Ministerial Central Team would take into account the ground realities in the flood-affected districts and convey Assam’s concerns and requirements to the Union government for appropriate action.
–IANS
tdr/khz
