Guwahati, 13 August (HS): Torrential rain, landslides and sudden heavy water flow from the hills of neighbouring Nagaland since July 19 triggered a severe flood situation in Upper Assam. Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat districts were among the worst affected, with Sivasagar witnessing the highest impact. According to official figures available till August 12, 104 people have been confirmed dead, while thousands of families and more than four lakh people have been affected.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and organisations associated with the Sangh Parivar have been carrying out coordinated relief, service and rehabilitation work in the affected areas. Regional workers visited the affected districts on August 3 and 4 to assess the situation, meet affected families and identify immediate relief and long-term rehabilitation requirements.

Relief efforts have included distribution of food, clothing, bedding, medicines and essential household items, besides medical assistance, sanitation and disinfection, voluntary labour, agricultural restoration and cleaning and rehabilitation of schools, namghars and homes. Food items, utensils, baby food, animal feed, drinking water, water filters, chlorine tablets and other rehabilitation materials were also identified as immediate requirements.

Service Bharati Purvanchal, NMO Assam, AMO Assam, Su-Ka-Fa Hospital, ABVP, Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, Vidya Bharati, Bharat Vikas Parishad, Sanskrit Bharati, Rashtra Sevika Samiti/Utkashini Seva Nyas, Laghu Udyog Bharati, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Hedgewar Smarak Samiti, Madhukar Seva Nyas and Kalyan Ashram have contributed to relief distribution, medical services, sanitation, voluntary labour, agricultural assistance and rehabilitation.

The relief work has been undertaken in areas including Nazira, Kheluwa, Simaluguri and Sivasagar town in Sivasagar district; Selenghat, Kaliapani, Titabar, Khangia and Dhekgaon in Jorhat; Disang Pani, West Abhayapuri, Sonari and Lakwa in Charaideo; and Padumoni, Dergaon and Morangi in Golaghat.

Relief materials distributed among affected people included rice, pulses, potatoes, flour, sugar, flattened rice, puffed rice, biscuits, milk and fruit juice. Mattresses, bedsheets, mosquito nets, clothes, T-shirts, caps, slippers, gumboots and socks were also provided. Baby food, children's clothing, sanitary pads, bleaching powder, candles and mosquito-repellent materials were distributed for maternal, child and sanitation needs.

As floodwaters receded, around 1,250 volunteers from different districts participated in extensive voluntary labour and restoration activities. Service Bharati Purvanchal mobilised food, household items, sanitation materials and medical resources and transported them to affected areas.

In Golaghat, Service Bharati Purvanchal distributed food and other essential materials among 200 families in two villages through 13 workers on July 25. On August 2, eight temporary camps were set up in the severely affected Nepali Khuti village, along with cleaning and distribution of relief materials.

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad has also undertaken relief and assistance activities across around 11 villages, distributing essential materials, cooked food, mosquito nets, bedsheets and paddy seedlings for agricultural land.

NMO Assam and Su-Ka-Fa Hospital provided medical services to affected people. The Bharatiya Kisan Sangh supported agricultural and livelihood restoration through animal feed, paddy seedlings, healthcare and essential materials. Vidya Bharati has taken steps for restoration of education, including financial assistance to schools and distribution of notebooks mobilised through Seva Bharati.

Rashtra Sevika Samiti/Utkashini Seva Nyas has extended assistance to around 2,000 families in Jorhat, Sivasagar and Charaideo districts, including financial assistance of ₹1.12 lakh. Laghu Udyog Bharati, Northeast Province, Bharat Vikas Parishad, Sanskrit Bharati, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh and Ayurvedic Medical Organisation are also continuing service activities among the affected population.

Focus Now on Rehabilitation and Restoration

Relief and service activities are continuing in the flood-affected areas. Following immediate relief, the focus is now shifting towards restoration of affected families, revival of livelihoods and return to normal life.

The ongoing priorities include cleaning and repairing damaged houses, rehabilitation of families, restoration of schools, providing books, notebooks and educational materials to students, seeds and paddy seedlings to farmers, fodder for livestock, safe drinking water and water filters, disinfection using bleaching powder and phenyl, medical camps wherever required, and distribution of bedding, utensils and household essentials.

The Sangh Parivar has resolved to continue its service activities not merely until the floodwaters recede, but until affected families are able to return to normal and self-reliant lives.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash