Inter-ministerial Central Team assesses Flood damage in Assam 

Guwahati,Rongili Barta: An eight-member high-level Inter-ministerial Central Team (IMCT) from different Ministries of Govt. of India visited various districts of Assam for assessment of  the flood damages from July 18 to 20, 2024. The team led by Joint Secretary, Ministry of  Home Affairs, Shri Mihir Kumar, wrapped up their flood damage assessment after deliberating with the senior officials of Govt. of Assam at Lok Sewa Bhawan, Dispur today.  Earlier the Inter-Ministerial Central Team was divided into 2 groups and visited the  flood-affected districts of Dibrugarh, Majuli, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Nagaon, Cachar, Karimganj  & Hailakandi. The Central Team inquired and assessed the damages and loss of the livelihood  and properties of the visiting districts of Assam in the meeting. During their visit, they  interacted with the local officials and visited flood-damaged sites.  

The meeting today was chaired by Shri Ajay Tiwari, IAS, Addl. Chief Secretary to the  Govt. of Assam. Speaking on the impacts of flood Shri Tiwari said that Cyclone Remal  triggered the first wave of floods and the state has already encountered two waves which  have affected humans, livestock, and wildlife alike.   Shri Mihir Kumar said the team had a bird’s eye view of the damages caused by the  recent Assam Floods. He elaborated on the assessment done by the team on the grounds and  highlighted the severe inundation of agricultural lands that these two waves of floods had  caused. Shri Kumar appreciated the level of preparedness displayed by the districts and the  Govt of Assam and the prompt and effective relief operation undertaken in the flood-affected  areas. 

Addressing the meeting CEO ASDMA, Shri Gyandendra Dev Tripathi asked the IMCT to  declare the two waves of floods in 2004 as calamities of severe nature. Further, IMCT was  also requested to recommend the release of Rs 500 Crores from the National Disaster  Response Fund (NDRF) on an interim basis.  

The other members of the IMCT are Sanjeev Kumar Suman, Superintending Engineer,  Ministry of Jal Shakti, Jintu Das, Director, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare,  Partha Paul, Under Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Ms. Vandana Singhal, Chief Engineer,  Ministry of Power, Shri Mridul Buragohain, Asst. Executive Engineer (Civil), Ministry of Road  Transport and Highways, Shri Rahul Deo Diwakar, Under Secretary (Admn.), Ministry of Rural  Development Shri Digambar Swain, Research Officer, Ministry of Fisheries. The meeting was also attended by officers of various departments Govt. of Assam, the  Indian Army, and NDRF. Deputy Commissioners of flood-affected districts also joined  virtually and shared their issues with the IMCT.