Sonia coming, situation improves remarkably in Assam

Guwahati, Aug 04 (UNI) UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi is coming to Assam soon for a day-long visit to take stock of the flood situation while the water level of several rivers has fast started receding.

'' Assam 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 Assam as the water level has dried up. We have problem what to show Ms Gandhi, '' Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi told newsmen here today.

'' There are some flood water in lower Assam and the state government is hoping it would not dry up in the next two days. Even that may also dry up. 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.

'' We have ordered an inquiry how 53 embarkments have breached in single flood. Commissioner Subhash Das will handle the inquiry, '' he added.

The toll touched 23 and 1825 houses had been completely damaged by the flood, he said.

He 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