Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited flood-hit Sivasagar and Charaideo districts on August 4 to review relief operations. He spent two days meeting displaced families. The government plans to start detailed damage assessments on August 9. Teams will measure destroyed homes to speed up aid. The state has already identified nearly one lakh beneficiaries. Officials verified the lists to ensure quick payouts. Sarma promised to keep help moving. "We have been meeting flood victims over the last two days and assuring them of relief. From August 9, we will begin detailed measurements of damaged houses so that assistance can be provided as quickly as possible," Sarma said.
High water levels in the Brahmaputra have trapped drainage in several towns. The state will push to clear this water. Sarma noted that highways are blocking flow in some areas. He plans to order the National Highways Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited to build more cross-drainage systems. Local residents must provide land for new embankments. Public cooperation is a requirement.
Sarma addressed claims about mining in Nagaland. He denied any illegal mining within Assam. He plans to discuss the cross-border issue with the Centre. A scientific study is pending. The Chief Minister attended a program at the Rajiv Gandhi Institute alongside Ministers Pijush Hazarika, Bimal Bora, and Sushanta Borgohain. Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi also joined the delegation. They handed out relief cheques to victims.
The Chief Minister pushed back against opposition demands for higher payouts. He cited state financial limits when discussing compensation. He criticized Gogoi for filming a social media reel while swimming in floodwaters. The Chief Minister asked, "The question is, whom did he rescue?" Current relief efforts remain the primary focus.
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