Guwahati, 05 August (HS): Union Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda on Wednesday assured comprehensive financial assistance to every flood-affected family in Assam after conducting an extensive assessment of the flood-ravaged districts of Sivasagar, Charaideo and Jorhat along with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

During his visit to the severely affected Nepalikhuti area in Sivasagar, Nadda described the ongoing floods as unprecedented and said the scale of destruction to lives, livelihoods and infrastructure was immense. He assured that the Central Government would provide all possible financial assistance for relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction, while reaffirming its commitment to stand firmly with the people of Assam during the crisis.

A high-level review meeting chaired by Nadda and attended by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and senior officials is scheduled to be held at the Chief Minister's Secretariat in Dibrugarh later in the evening to review the flood situation across Upper Assam.

Officials stated that the floods affecting Sivasagar, Charaideo and Jorhat largely originated from Nagaland's Mon district. Following his Assam visit, Nadda is also inspecting the flood source areas in Mon district to assess the prevailing situation there.

Addressing affected residents, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said many families in Nepalikhuti depend on cattle rearing for their livelihood and assured that the state government would compensate livestock losses by providing cattle to affected families. He also promised permanent houses for those whose homes were destroyed in the floods.

The Chief Minister, who has been monitoring relief and rehabilitation operations in the three worst-hit districts for the past three days, said restoring damaged public infrastructure and essential services remains the government's top priority. Appealing to flood victims to remain patient, he assured them that the government would continue to support them until normalcy is restored. He also directed officials to carry out a transparent and comprehensive assessment of losses to ensure timely assistance reaches all eligible beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, Assam BJP spokesperson Dr. Devajit Mahanta said the appreciation expressed by MLA Akhil Gogoi for the Chief Minister's visit to flood-hit areas reflected constructive politics during a humanitarian crisis. He criticised the Congress for allegedly indulging in political attacks instead of focusing on relief efforts and urged the party to disclose the assistance it had provided to flood-affected families in Sivasagar, Charaideo and Jorhat.---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash