GUWAHATI: The death toll in Assam’s floods rose to 80 after two more people died in Sivasagar district on Thursday, even as the number of affected people dropped to 2.12 lakh across four districts, according to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA).According to the ASDMA’s evening bulletin, the two latest victims, including a boy, drowned in floodwaters in Sivasagar district, taking this year’s flood death toll to 80.More than 2,12,400 people remain affected in Charaideo, Golaghat, Jorhat and Sivasagar districts. Charaideo is the worst-hit with nearly 80,000 affected people, followed by Sivasagar (71,000) and Jorhat (40,000).The flood situation showed signs of improvement compared with Wednesday, when more than three lakh people were affected across the four districts.The ASDMA said the administration is operating 112 relief camps and relief distribution centres, where 75,583 people are currently taking shelter.Rescue operations by the Army, NDRF, SDRF, Fire & Emergency Services, police and civil agencies are continuing in several parts of Upper Assam.Over the past 24 hours, authorities distributed 918.55 quintals of rice, 203.9 quintals of dal, 146.7 quintals of salt and 17,546.4 litres of mustard oil among flood-affected families.The disaster management authority said 437 villages remain inundated, while 17,198.09 hectares of cropland have been damaged. Floodwaters have also damaged embankments, roads, bridges and other infrastructure across the state.The Dhansiri River continued to flow above the danger mark at Numaligarh, while nearly 2,97,384 domestic animals and poultry have been affected by the floods.
Kartik Aaryan extends Rs 1 crore support to Assam
Actor Kartik Aaryan contributed Rs 1 crore to the Assam Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to aid relief and rehabilitation efforts.Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma thanked the actor for the contribution.“Truly heartened by your generous contribution, @TheAaryanKartik. Your support will go a long way in helping the people of Assam,” Sarma posted on X.In another post, the chief minister’s office said:“Gratitude to actor @TheAaryanKartik for his generous contribution of Rs 1 Crore to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. HCM Dr. @himantabiswa appreciated his commendable gesture and timely support toward state relief measures.”The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms, across Assam and neighbouring states between July 30 and August 1, raising fresh concerns for flood-hit areas.The ASDMA has urged people to remain alert and follow official weather advisories. Heavy rainfall has also been forecast in several districts of Arunachal Pradesh, with very heavy rainfall expected at isolated places in Papumpare district.An orange alert has been issued for Tinsukia district in Assam. Similar alerts have also been issued for Mon, Mokokchung and Wokha districts in Nagaland, which could impact the adjoining Assam districts of Charaideo, Sivasagar, Jorhat and Golaghat.The IMD said rainfall between 6 cm and 11 cm per day is likely in several districts of Arunachal Pradesh, while isolated places in Papumpare could receive 12 cm to 20 cm of rain.The ASDMA has advised residents to monitor official weather updates and follow instructions issued by local authorities.Amid the improving flood situation, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday announced a six-month moratorium on repayment of all types of loans availed by flood-affected people in Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat districts.In a Facebook Live, Sarma said the decision was taken at a special meeting of the State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC) attended by representatives of the RBI, NABARD, SBI and other commercial banks.“The meeting decided on a relief scheme for the customers who availed loans in Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat districts. The SLBC decided that a moratorium of six months will be offered to all flood-affected people in these districts,” he said.The chief minister said banks would assess the condition of borrowers and only those affected by the floods would be eligible for the benefit. He urged all other borrowers to continue paying their EMIs.Sarma said the repayment tenure for housing, education and vehicle loans could be extended by one year in addition to the six-month moratorium.Agriculture, crop and self-help group (SHG) loans can be extended by one to two years, while loans taken for poultry, fishery and other animal husbandry activities would also qualify for similar relief.For micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), loan repayment periods can be extended by three to seven years, depending on the nature of the loan.“There are many small retail shop owners who have taken loans. Now, their shops are totally damaged, and nothing is left. The banks will give an additional amount of Rs 10,000 in their loan accounts without any new mortgage or collateral,” the chief minister said.Sarma also announced a one-time assistance of Rs 1.5 lakh to each Namghar in flood-ravaged Sivasagar and Charaideo districts for rebuilding the Vaishnavite places of worship.According to the chief minister, the four affected districts together have 3.18 lakh active bank accounts with cumulative outstanding loans of Rs 11,400 crore.He said he would also take up the matter with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to extend similar relief to borrowers of non-banking financial companies (NBFCs).He added that the government would begin assessing damage to houses, livestock, handlooms, agricultural fields, schools and other infrastructure from August 7 to determine the final compensation package.The state has already announced an interim relief of Rs 15,000 per affected household.Sarma further said 45 roads spanning nearly 100 km require urgent repairs, while 16 roads have already been made motorable.(With agency inputs)
