Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal undertook an aerial survey to take stock of the flood situation in many districts, including his constituency Majuli.
According to an official release, Mr Sonowal undertook an aerial survey of the flood-affected Majuli, Nagaon, Morigaon, Jorhat, Lakhimpur and Dhemaji districts to take stock of the prevailing flood situation.
Water Resources Minister Keshab Mahanta and Rural Development Minister Naba Kumar Doley also accompanied him.
Meanwhile, flood situation in the State worsened today with five more deaths taking the toll to 21 in the current deluge while nearly 18 lakh people reeled under the impact.
Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) Joint Secretary Nandita Hazarika told PTI that reports of five deaths in the floods poured in on Friday, taking the toll to 21 so far.
Giving the break-up, she said, in Barpeta district, three persons died at Barpeta town, Sarupeta and Barnagar.
Ms Hazarika said one person died at Gogamukh in Dhemaji due to rising water while one more person died at Dotma in Kokrajhar district of Lower Assam.
Mr Sonowal visited the flood-hit pockets of Majuli and reviewed the relief and rescue operations being carried out by the NDRF, SDRF, CRPF and Indian Army.
Visiting the breach on embankment at Bongaon, he asked the Water Resources department to repair the damage on a war-footing so that no new area is affected.
He also visited relief camps set up at Rang Ghar, Bongaon and Bongaon ME School and interacted with the inmates.
The Chief Minister held a meeting in the world’s largest river island and reviewed the prevailing situation with Jorhat Deputy Commissioner, Majuli SDO (Civil) and the Heads of various departments such as Water Resources, Health and Family Welfare, PWD, Agriculture, Veterinary and Animal Husbandry.
He directed the Water Resources Department and Brahmaputra Board to undertake a joint inspection in the vulnerable areas, where breach can happen, and take preventive steps.
On the direction of the Chief Minister, teams have been formed for surveillance of embankments on 24X7 basis.
Mr Sonowal directed the administration to be careful about the health and hygiene of relief camp inmates, besides taking special care to babies, old persons and providing baby foods, medicines in adequate quantity.
He further asked the administration to keep an eye on the aftermath of the floods so that outbreak of communicable diseases can be averted.
The Chief Minister then proceeded to Lakhimpur and held a review meeting with the Deputy Commissioners of Lakhimpur and Dhemaji and the departmental heads of the two districts.
He asked the DCs to prioritise relief and rescue operations and help the flood-affected people urgently.
Mr Sonowal said that Chief Secretary V. K. Pipersenia is coordinating and supervising the entire relief and rescue operations in the flood-affected districts across Assam and asked the DCs to inform him of any critical situation.
He also handed over two cheques worth Rs. 4 lakh each as grant to the next of kin of those who died in the flood.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Revenue and Disaster Management Pallab Lochan Das and Kamrup DC Vinod Seshan inspected flood-affected Hajo circle.
During his visit, the Minister interacted with flood affected people in two relief camps set up at Solmari LP School and Gaonburah pam village.
Mr Das reviewed the relief measures undertaken by the district administration while interacting with the heads of different departments. - PTI
