Long-Term Rehabilitation Efforts Underway
In Nepali Khuti, destruction stretches as far as the eye can see. (Photo)
Guwahati, Aug 12: As the Assam government provides immediate aid and financial support to families affected by floods, it is also formulating a comprehensive rehabilitation and recovery strategy for the severely impacted regions of Upper Assam.
During a press conference at Lok Sewa Bhawan on Wednesday, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma emphasized that the government is transitioning from emergency relief to rebuilding communities devastated by the recent floods, prioritizing sustainable recovery efforts.
“In areas like Nepali Khuti, Kamalbasti, and Bamunpukhuri, homes have suffered total destruction. There is virtually nothing left in terms of housing in these locations. Our focus is not just on immediate relief but also on long-term strategies to help these individuals recover and rebuild,” Sarma stated.
He mentioned that the state government, in collaboration with the Centre and various social organizations, is considering a model housing scheme for the most affected areas, in addition to the financial aid already being provided to families.
“However, this initiative can only proceed once the affected families return from relief shelters to their villages,” he added.
The Chief Minister also highlighted that the government is working on restoring livelihoods, especially for families that lost livestock during the floods.
“We are in talks with the National Dairy Development Board to explore the possibility of providing cows to affected families and establishing milk processing facilities in these regions. We are committed to creating a sustainable relief and rehabilitation framework,” he noted.
Sarma further mentioned that discussions are ongoing regarding a permanent solution to the erosion and recurring flooding issues along the Dikhow river belt, which was severely impacted by the recent floods.
Just a day prior, Water Resources Minister Susanta Borgohain informed that an embankment would soon be constructed to mitigate the damage caused by the Dikhow river.
Borgohain explained that while the project was sanctioned last year, it faced delays due to local residents’ reluctance to relinquish the necessary land for construction.
Funding for Reconstruction Initiatives
Emphasizing public support for relief efforts, Sarma announced that the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund would be utilized for reconstructing housing colonies in the affected areas.
“We have seen unprecedented contributions to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, with micro-donations from approximately 26,000 individuals. To date, Rs 142 crore has been collected. These funds will be directed towards developing model housing colonies,” he stated.
The proposed housing initiative aims to complement the financial assistance already being provided to families impacted by the floods.
Seeking National Solutions for Flood Challenges
Regarding the broader issue of Assam’s recurring flood crisis, Sarma indicated that the government has gathered extensive visual documentation of the devastation to bolster its case for a comprehensive national-level intervention.
“This initiative can progress once national institutions like IIT Roorkee provide their insights. We have the funding, but we require effective solutions. We will pursue this after August 15,” he remarked.
Sarma’s comments come amid renewed calls for a long-term strategy to tackle Assam’s annual flood challenges.
Previously, he argued that the emphasis should be on identifying a “national solution” rather than merely labeling floods as a “national problem,” asserting that durable scientific and engineering solutions involving leading institutions would yield better results than symbolic classifications.