CM holds VC with DCs and reviews flood situation, directs to intensify relief and rescue works
Bhupen Goswami
GUWAHATI : In view of the current wave of flood affecting 33 districts, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma today held a video conference (VC) with the DCs to review the prevailing situation. Considering the wide spread damage that the flood has inflicted upon, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma asked the DCs to use the services of NDRF and SDRF personnel and if required the Army to reach out and rescue the marooned people. It may be noted that with most of the rivers flowing above the danger flood level, 33 districts of the state, including 127 revenue circles and 5,137 villages have been impacted by the surging flood water. Taking into consideration of the widespread damage that the flood has wreaked on the lives and properties of the state, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma during his VC with all the DCs, Guardian Ministers and Guardian Secretaries from his office, asked them for expeditious distribution of relief materials in adequate quantity in all the relief camps opened so far in the state.
He also asked the DCs to earmark more distribution points in their respective jurisdictions to distribute relief materials to the flood affected people. Moreover, direction has been given to the DCs and SDO(C)s to ensure round the clock medical facilities in the relief camps to take care of the medical needs of the camp inmates. Moreover, with regard to safe drinking water, hygiene and cleanliness the Chief Minister asked the DCs to take adequate tangible actions. Mega health camps will also be organized in each revenue circle area to safeguards the health of the flood affected from post flood related health hazards, Dr. Sarma added. In view of the immediate rise of flood water in several places, though NDRF has been helping the district administration in safe evacuation of people from the affected areas along with SDRF, Fire and FS personnel, police forces, AAPDA Mitra, volunteers of ASDMA, Army will also be asked to be on the stand-by mode to reach out to the affected people. Moreover, with regard to attending to breached embankments, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma asked to DCs to have a look at all the breached embankments once the flood water recedes and fortify the embankments and use them as roads. He also asked the DCs to submit comprehensive reports of damage perpetrated by flood to the government to enable it to start reconstruction work at the earliest.
The Chief Minister also asked the Guardian Ministers along with concerned Secretaries to remain in their districts to oversee rescue, relief and rehabilitation works. Besides the physical presence of his cabinet colleagues namely Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika, Education Minister Ranoj Pegu, Pijush Hazarika, NDRF and SDRF personnel, other Guardian Ministers during the VC, agencies like Air Force, Railway and other functionaries from the line departments joined the it (VC) virtually.
