GUWAHATI, May 29 - Two more persons lost their lives in the current wave of flood taking the death toll to five even as 11 revenue circles of 7 districts continued to reel under flood waters affecting a nearly four lakh population in the State.
The districts include Goalpara, Nagaon, Hojai, Nalbari, West Karbi Anglong, Dibrugarh and Tinsukia. To cater to the safety need of the affected population, as many as 190 relief camps/centres have been set up.
At present, nearly 20,000 affected people are taking shelter in these camps. Moreover, as the latest flood bulletin released by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority, Kopili River at Kampur (Nagaon) continues to flow above the danger level. Further, flood waters have so far affected a crop area of 24,755 hectares in the State. The flood bulletin also stated that embankments in Hojai, Barpeta and Udalguri have also been damaged due to the flood. The number of big and small animals affected stands at 52,561 and 21,833, respectively.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that the State government would deal with the prevailing flood situation in pursuance of the new relief manual which would strengthen the State government�s efforts to give relief and respite to the flood victims as well as fighting with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Visiting Goalpara today, which has been hit by the first wave of flood, Sonowal said that in view of the prevailing flood which has affected as many as 11 districts, the State government would reach out to the flood-affected people with the new relief manual which would also help the State government to battle against novel coronavirus pandemic.
Sonowal also took stock of the temporary relief camps set up at Agia Balijana Girls� High School and Dwarka Primary School in Goalpara and interacted with the camp inmates there. He directed the Deputy Commissioner to provide adequate and good quality facilities like food, drinking water and medical help.
He said that doctors should visit the relief centres and provide medical attention to the inmates present there.
He also said that in view of the COVID-19 pandemic wherein social distancing is regarded as the golden deterrent to keep the virus at bay, district administration should ensure strict adherence to the social distancing norms in the relief camps.
Sonowal also visited the Integrated Child Development Project office and took stock of the facilities put up for the children who are staying at the relief camps. He also talked to ASHA workers and lauded the relentless services they are rendering when the State is going through challenges like flood and erosion and the coronavirus pandemic.
Sonowal also visited the Agia-Lakhipur State Highway-12, a portion of which was completely washed away by the flood. He took stock of the extent of damage and asked the concerned officials to restore communication through that portion on a war-footing and repair the bridge part. He also asked the DC to oversee the process and report to him at the earliest.
The Chief Minister also visited a quarantine centre set up at Ayurvedic Hospital at Dudhnoi during his visit to the district.
