Photo Courtesy: nenews
Guwahati: The Assam government is rolling out cash payouts for livestock lost in recent, record-breaking floods. The relief covers Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat, and Golaghat districts under State Disaster Response Fund guidelines. Households can claim Rs 37,500 for each lost cow, up to three animals. Smaller livestock, including goats and pigs, net Rs 4,000 per head for up to 30 animals. Poultry owners get Rs 100 per bird for up to 100 birds.
This aid lands as Upper Assam tries to recover from the July 19 disaster. Floodwaters from Nagaland dumped massive amounts of silt, burying entire villages and destroying infrastructure. In Nepalikhuti village, only 15 to 20 of the 283 original houses remain habitable. Gorkha Development Council Chairman Prem Tamang said the flooding was unlike anything seen before. "We are building temporary relief camps because people have no homes," Tamang said.
Farmer Binod Sharma lost 29 of his 30 high-value cows in Nepalikhuti. He is one of many now without a primary income source. The state is also launching animal health camps to prevent disease outbreaks among survivors. Meanwhile, local traders lost heavy equipment like excavators and dumpers to thick mud. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited the area on August 3, pledging help for damaged vehicles and equipment.
Villagers at the Dikhow River site demanded a permanent guard wall and an immediate halt to stone quarrying, which they claim worsened the damage. One resident told the Chief Minister, "Our village can still be saved if a guard wall is built and quarrying is stopped."
The broader government package includes Rs 15,000 in immediate aid for 75,000 families. Residents in Sivasagar and Charaideo get an extra Rs 10,000. House restoration grants go up to Rs 1.20 lakh. The state is also providing support for damaged crops, handlooms, and public infrastructure.
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