GUWAHATI, Aug 19 � The Assam branch of the Indian Redcross Society (IRS) has undertaken a drive to provide relief to the flood and erosion-hit people of Majuli river island.
According to president of the State branch of the Redcross Society Renuka Devi Barkotoky, who is also former Union Minister, packets containing relief items have been distributed among the flood and erosion-hit people of the island and a device has been installed to supply them with safe drinking water drawn from the river.
The Redcross Society has been rendering this service to the people of the island for the past about one month, she said.
President of the Majuli district unit of the Redcross Society Ghana Nath told this newspaper that around 400 packets of relief items have so far been distributed among the affected people. Each of the packets contain a mosquito net, a piece of tarpaulin, a bed sheet, a piece of dhoti, a towel, kitchen utensils, a piece of sari, a plastic bucket etc.
The medical team of the Redcross Society has also conducted health check-up of the affected people at Salmora area and distributed medicines among them. It also tried to generate awareness among the people about the need of maintaining hygiene etc.
The Australia-made drinking water supply device is supplying safe drinking water to the people of Salmora area since August 4. Deputy Commissioner of Jorhat inaugurated the operation of the device at a function attended by Water Resources Minister Rajiv Lochan Pegu, Nath said.
It needs mention here that this time erosion has affected 141 families in the river island, while floods have hit 1,35,000 people.
