Seven more die in Assam floods, 12 lakh affected

Guwahati: The flood situation in Assam remained grim on Saturday as seven more deaths were reported and at least 12 lakh people in 24 districts were affected by the deluge.

With this, the toll in this year’s flood-related cases has gone up to 59, including eight in Guwahati.

A day after angry protests by flood victims, who blocked the entry of a minister in the worst-hit Majuli district, Assam finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said that there was no dearth of funds and district administrations had been asked to provide relief generously to those affected.

Saying that the state government had already paid an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh to the family members of 41 out of the 52 killed in the floods, Mr Sarma said that there was a possibility of a few people having been left out in the relief distribution, but majority had got relief.

“In order to ensure relief for each and every flood victim, we have set up 711 relief distribution points,” said Mr Sarma, adding that there were 1,21,882 people taking shelter in 320 relief camps across the 29 flood-hit districts of the state.

“All those living in relief camps are getting relief material but problem is with those who stayed back in marooned villages to protect their houses and belongings. The district officers are finding it difficult in reach out to these isolated locations,” said Mr Sarma.

He added, “The central government is ready to extend as much assistance as possible to those affected.”