Sonia, Shivraj pledge Central help for flood-ravaged Asom

Guwahati, Aug 7 (UNI) UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil today made an aerial survey of flood-ravaged Asom and directed the state government to ensure relief and rehabilitation, assuring of complete assistance from the Centre. They also took first-hand account of the flood victims of Dhemaji district, the easternmost point of the state, during the whirlwind visit. They later flew to Bihar to take stock of the flood situation there.

Ms Gandhi and Mr Patil were accompanied by senior officials from New Delhi.

Congress leaders Chandan Bagchi and Digvijay Singh, state Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, besides other state government officials, accompanied the delegation.

The high-level team flew to Dhemaji by an IAF chopper after arriving in Lilabari airport in Lakhimpur district in a chartered flight of the IAF in the morning.

Dhemaji had been hit by flash flood from neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh. It remained cut off from rest of the country since July 12.

The Central team met flood victims and also held discussion with the district administration officials. The Deputy Commissioner also gave a power presentation on the situation in the district.

The administration had to face a few embarrassing moments when the victims complained of inadequate relief. However, no serious lapse was reported by the people.

Many people had their houses washed away and vast tracts of agricultural land damaged by the flood waters in the district. The UPA chairperson had asked Mr Gogoi to ensure quick relief to all and proper rehabilitation.

Mr Patil, stating that the situation was of major concern in Asom, said the Centre would extend all possible help to the state government.

''It is the seriousness of the situation that had drawn Ms Gandhi and me to visit the state, '' he added.

The Union Home Minister said the Centre had been monitoring the situation and in constant touch with the state government. Flying back to Lilabari airport, the high-level delegation then undertook an aerial survey of Golaghat, Nagaon, Lakhimpur, Morigaon, Nalbari, Kamrup and Barpeta districts.

Lower and western Asom districts, especially Barpeta and Nalbari, had been affected by flood water of the rivers of the state as well as those of neighbouring Bhutan.

Before flying back, Ms Gandhi and Mr Patil made a brief stopover at Guwahati airport. The state government submitted a report to the Central team on the damage caused and the rescue, relief and rehabilitation steps it had undertaken.

Revenue Minister Bhumidhar Barman had said earlier that the state government would ask for Central assistance after making a complete assessment of the situation.

He said the state government had initiated rehabilitation measures, including supply of fresh seed stock to farmers, as water had been receding in all parts.

The government was also working overtime to check the outbreak of any epidemic in the aftermath of the flood.

As many as 24 people had died in this second wave of flood, which affected 26 of the total 27 districts of the state, displacing about 65 lakh people. More than eight lakh hectare of area had been affected.

UNI