Following his visit with the victims, Assam Congress President Bhupen Kumar Borah stated that the floods have already claimed over 90 lives and left 30 lakh people in distress.
On Monday, a delegation from the AICC (All India Congress Committee) and APCC (Assam Pradesh Congress Committee) toured the flood-affected regions of Morigaon district in Assam to interact with those affected by the deluge. After engaging with the victims, Assam Congress President Bhupen Kumar Borah stated, “The flood has claimed over 90 lives, and 30 lakh individuals are grappling with its devastating impact.”
The government is neglecting its duties. During our visit to the Jagiroad area, represented by Water Minister Pijush Hazarika, villagers have been submerged for 15 days with only one day of relief provided.
Table of Contents
Congress Leaders visit:
Source: Dynamitenews
Upon his arrival in Assam, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited the relief camp located at Thalai within the Youth Care Center in Fulertal.
Rahul Gandhi voiced his solidarity in a social media post, saying, “I am with the people of Assam. As their representative in Parliament, I call on the central government to provide swift and comprehensive assistance to the state.”
He stressed, “Assam urgently needs a thorough and empathetic strategy: immediate relief, rehabilitation, and compensation in the short term, alongside the creation of a pan-Northeast water management authority for long-term flood control.”
Reflecting on the severe impact of flooding in Assam, he lamented, “The heartbreaking devastation, including the loss of innocent lives like 8-year-old Avinash, deeply saddens us all. My heartfelt condolences go out to all the grieving families across the state.”
The incident where Avinash and his father fell into an uncovered drain from a scooter in Guwahati city is tragic. While his father survived, Avinash’s body was recovered from a drain four kilometres downstream three days later, on Sunday.
Rahul Gandhi was briefed by Assam Congress leaders about the situation on the ground, where more than 24 lakh people have been affected, over 53,000 displaced, and more than 60 lives lost.
He remarked, “These figures highlight the severe mismanagement by the BJP’s dual-engine government, which came into power promising a flood-free Assam.” The Congress leader also visited a camp in Thalain, Cachar district, where internally displaced people had sought shelter following violence in neighbouring Manipur, and spoke with them.
The Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha was greeted at Kumbhirgram airport by Assam Pradesh Congress Committee President Bhupen Borah and other senior leaders from the state and district party.
Mr. Borah handed over a memorandum to Mr. Rahul Gandhi, urging him to raise the issue of the catastrophic floods with the Centre as a special case, seeking adequate relief and compensation for the widespread losses. He expressed appreciation, stating, “We sincerely appreciate your efforts in highlighting our situation to the Centre.”
“Assam urgently needs a comprehensive package to address this dire situation, as the state government has failed to secure adequate funds from the Centre—an unfortunate double failure of the double engine government,” remarked Mr. Borah.
Mr. Borah underscored that the flood situation in the state has deteriorated due to rampant deforestation in the hills, resulting in substantial silt accumulation in the rivers. This siltation has reduced the depth of riverbeds, thereby decreasing the water-holding capacity of rivers across the state.
Emphasising the need for a long-term strategy, including the establishment of a pan-Northeast water management authority, Mr. Borah remarked, “During the monsoon season and in the face of climate change, we are experiencing extreme rainfall, leading to water discharge surpassing the rivers’ carrying capacity.”
He added, “In the short term, enhancing existing flood management infrastructure such as embankments and promptly providing relief and rehabilitation to those affected are equally crucial.”
Assam Pradesh Committee’s visit:
Source: TribuneIndia
AICC General Secretary Jitendra Singh Alwar stated, “For the past decade, the BJP has promised to exert maximum efforts to prevent floods. However, we see here in this village that 4-5 feet of water has accumulated. The residents lack access to clean water and essential food supplies.
The government shows little concern for their plight. With 30 lakh people affected and 70 fatalities, who bears responsibility for this situation? The Congress party will bring this matter to the Vidhan Sabha and Parliament.”
Earlier today, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to assess the flood situation in the state.
The flood situation in Assam is deteriorating further, with the death toll exceeding 90, as reported by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA). Over 5 lakh people in 18 districts are grappling with the deluge, with Cachar district in Assam being the most severely affected.
The water level of the Brahmaputra River has surpassed the danger mark at Neamatighat, Tezpur, and Dhubri. Similarly, the Burhidihing River is flowing above the danger level at Chenimari (Knhowang), and the Disang River at Nanglamuraghat.
Currently, more than 58,000 people are taking refuge in 172 relief camps and distribution centres across 13 districts. Additionally, 283,712 domestic animals have been affected by the floodwaters.
Link to the X post of Jitendra Singh Alwar along with Mr. Borah:
https://twitter.com/JitendraSAlwar/status/1812878851313484024?t=EN3MQ0MzgP2azMMHh25K7Q&s=08
