Sonia coming, situation improves remarkably in Asom

Guwahati, Aug 4 (UNI) UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi will come to Asom soon for a day-long visit to take stock of the flood situation, while the water level of several rivers has started receding rapidly.

''Asom has this peculiar nature. The flood water rises rapidly and goes down very rapidly. I came from Dibrugarh yesterday and there was hardly any water in upper Asom as the water level has dried up. We have problem what to show Ms Gandhi,'' Asom Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi told newsmen here today.

''There is some flood water in lower Asom and the state government is hoping it would not dry up in the next two days. ''We are happy that the flood water is coming down but we are in difficulty to show her the actual devastation,'' said the Chief Minister.

An inquiry had been ordered to view as to how 53 embarkments breached in a single flood. ''Commissioner Subhash Das will handle the inquiry,'' he added.

The death toll touched 23 and 1,825 houses were completely damaged in the flood, he said.

Mr Gogoi assured that there would be no problem for relief money and hoped the coming visit of the central team would further boost the relief chest.

Brushing aside the allegation of Opposition parties, he said there was no anomaly in relief distribution.

UNI