Photo Courtesy: nenow
Guwahati: Assam's floodwaters are retreating. The death toll hit 82 on July 31 after two additional fatalities occurred in Sivasagar and Charaideo. While 1,92,799 people remain affected across 379 villages, the state's focus has shifted to massive recovery efforts. Sivasagar, Charaideo, Golaghat, Jorhat, and Nagaon remain the primary centers of concern.
Relief camps currently shelter 12,994 displaced residents. Another 5,384 people receive aid through 26 distribution centers. NDRF and SDRF teams continue working on the ground to clear thick sludge from damaged homes. Agriculture faces a crisis with 15,430 hectares of crops still submerged.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced significant financial interventions on August 1. Eligible flood-affected families will receive Rs 15,000 starting August 3. This reaches 55,000 beneficiaries in Sivasagar, 20,000 in Charaideo, 7,000 in Jorhat, and 3,000 in Golaghat. Displaced families unable to return home will get an additional Rs 10,000 beginning August 10. The government also sanctioned Rs 7.62 crore for school uniforms and notebooks for students in Classes I to VIII across those four districts. Repairs for Namghars and Anganwadi centers will follow between August 5 and 6.
Relief measures include a one-year land revenue waiver for Sivasagar and Charaideo residents. July electricity bills for households using up to 300 units in these districts will be covered by the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. Agriculture Minister Pijush Hazarika confirmed the start of temporary housing construction on Sunday, with permanent housing projected for completion in two months.
The government is also simplifying insurance claim processes for affected residents. Meanwhile, the APSC postponed the August 9 Assistant Engineer recruitment exam following student appeals. On the policy front, the state launched Orunodoi 3.0, introducing interest-free emergency advances of up to Rs 15,000 for women beneficiaries. Sarma defended the ongoing welfare program during the crisis, stating, “Orunodoi is no longer just a welfare scheme, but has become a symbol of humanity and dignity for millions of women.”
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