Rajnath Conducts Aerial Survey of Flood Hit Assam, Announces Compensation

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday conducted an aerial survey of the flood situation in Assam and announced a compensation of 4 lakh rupees to the families of the people who lost their lives in the flood situation.

Singh who was accompanied by chief minister Sarbanand Sononwal and MoS PMO Dr. Jitender Singh also held a high level meeting with the concerned officials after more than 25 people were killed and over 18 lakh people were affected in the state's 21 districts.

"Declaring this as a natural calamity is not the solution, there is a need for an action plan to deal with such serious flood situation," Singh told reporters post the aerial survey adding that the situation is quite serious.

Singh said that all the MLAs have been directed to go to the worst hit areas of the state by suspending the assembly adding that the government of India is going to help Assam in every possible way.

Asked about whether the state could receive a special package, Singh told reporters that the state government has an amount of Rs. 620 crore under the State Disaster Rescue Force (SDRF) and that more funds will be given to the state as per the requirement to deal with the flood problem.

"Assam govt has sent a memorandum which would be reviewed by an interministerial team and a decision on the same will be taken in the due course," Singh added.

At least nine rivers are flowing above the danger level mark and over 2 lakh people have been moved to relief camps across the state.

On Friday, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal had visited the flood-affected areas in Dhubri and Chirang districts and directed the district administration to accelerate relief and rescue operations.

The Chief Minister also visited a relief camp set up at Pratap Chandra Higher Secondary School at Gauripur and took stock of the medical, drinking water and other ancillary facilities being given to the people lodged there.