GUWAHATI, July 23 - Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today visited Solmari area in Rangiya under Kamrup district which has been inundated by flood water of Puthimari river and assessed the damages and government relief measures for the flood-hit.
He also visited a flood relief camp set up by the district administration at Rangiya TT College and interacted with the relief camp inmates and took stock of their condition as well as the quality of food items being served at the camp.
Talking to mediapersons after visiting the flood-hit, the Chief Minister said that the current wave of flood has severely affected 27 districts, claiming the lives of a number of people. He said that the State Government had taken serious note of the damages caused by the Puthimari in Rangiya subdivision and the district administration has been asked to extend all necessary help and support to the flood-affected people.
Besides, he added, the Water Resources Department has been directed to take immediate steps for repair of the breach caused by the Puthimari at Bogoribari and that fund for the purpose has been released.
The Chief Minister said that the high-level committee constituted by the Prime Minister under the chairmanship of NITI Aayog Vice Chairman has recommended setting up of North East Water Management Authority for adopting a holistic approach. He said that the Central Government would take steps for passing an ordinance to that effect in the forthcoming session of the Parliament. The Chief Minister felt that such an initiative would lead to a permanent solution of the flood and erosion problem of the State.
Water Resources Minister Keshav Mahanta and Minister of State (i/c) for Irrigation Bhabesh Kalita were also present, among others, during the Chief Minister�s visit to Rangiya today.
Our correspondent from Mangaldai adds: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday denied the common allegation against the Water Resource Department�s intentional delay in taking up repair works of the damaged embankments of the State. The Chief Minister was talking to mediapersons during his visit to the site of the ongoing damage repairing work of river Saktola embankment at Jonaramchowka near here.
�The department had completed the tender process by December. But due to the situation arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic and early bad weather, the works could not be started on time. However, progress of works in most of damaged embankments is now good.�
Regarding the progress of works in Darrang district, the Chief Minister further said, �Repair of the breached portion of Saktola embankment is already completed and the works of the incomplete remaining portion will be completed within a week. Progress of work on river Nanoi embankment in Sipajhar is also going on well.�
However, the Chief Minister did not mention anything significant regarding the prevailing situation due to COVID-19. Sonowal later visited a flood relief camp at Maharishi Vidyamandir, Mangaldai and also reviewed the recent flood scenario of the district with Deputy Commissioner Dilip Kumar Borah and other district heads of the relevant government departments. Water Resource Minister Keshav Mahanta, Irrigation Minister Bhabesh Kalita, Mangaldai MP Dilip Saikia besides two BJP MLAs of the district Gurujyoti Das and Binanda Kr Saikia gave him company during his short stay here. Earlier, Sonowal reached Jonaramchowka at 3-30 pm directly from Rangiya by road.
