GUWAHATI, Aug 22 - Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi will make an aerial survey of the flood-hit districts of Dhubri, Kokrajhar and Bongaigaon tomorrow to assess the situation.
Official sources said that the Chief Minister has also instructed the officials concerned to expedite relief and rescue operations in the flood-hit districts. He instructed the DCs to ensure proper sanitation in the relief camps. He said that the DCs of the affected districts should arrange for baby food and medicines along with other food materials.
The Chief Minister has also instructed the DCs to arrange for adequate number of country boats to launch rescue operations wherever required.
Bongaigaon Correspondent adds: The flood situation in Bongaigaon district has improved as there has been no rainfall since Friday. But erosion by the rivers continues with the receding of the floodwaters.
Hit by erosion, around 300 families along the Aie river in North Salmara of the district are taking shelter on the roads.
Crops like paddy, jute, sugarcane and vegetables have been damaged by the flood in the North Salmara subdivision, which is considered the hub of agricultural produce and milk. Hence, there is a crisis of vegetables and milk in the markets.
As the flood snapped the connecting road between Lengtisinga and Rangapani in the district, people from either side have to negotiate the distance on boats, local residents said.
However, if the breached dams and embankments along the Aie river are not repaired in time, the next flood is likely to cause havoc in the villages in the vicinity.
In Chirang district also, the flood situation is improving and no fresh casualty from the district has been reported so far. But river erosion has not stopped yet in some villages. The flood has affected many farmers in the district as it has damaged crops, vegetables, fisheries and dairy farms.
Dr Bhumidhar Barman, State Revenue Minister, and Basanta Das, Water Resources Minister, today visited Kokrajhar and Chirang districts respectively to review the flood situation and had a meeting with the district administration officials.
Dr Bhumidhar Barman told media persons that his government has not been receiving financial support to tackle the flood in the State from the Centre.
Jagiroad Correspondent adds: One Jyotish Medhi (50) drowned in the floodwaters while returning home from his agricultural field today.
