Relief work continues in flood-hit Assam

Relief work continues in Assam after 2.5 million people were rendered homeless by a second wave of floods brought on by a heavy downpour.

Cachar/ Morigaon (Assam), Sept. 17 : Relief work continues in Assam after 2.5 million people were rendered homeless by a second wave of floods brought on by a heavy downpour.

Rainwater has washed away homes, bridges, electricity poles and telecommunications towers - disrupting power and phone networks in many areas of the state.

Safe drinking water, food and shelter are among the items most needed to help families cope.

Government forces are now using helicopters to drop relief supplies, but they can only meet the needs of a fraction of the displaced people.

"We have lost everything. We have not received any relief material. We have heard that relief material has come here but it has not reached us," said Niru Deka, a flood-affected woman.

Assam Health Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, said they have enough funds to provide immediate relief to the flood-affected, but will require the Center's help to rehabilitate the displaced.

"We are providing shawls and eatables, but as far as rehabilitation is concerned, we will need funds from the Central Government. The Prime Minister has given us an assurance that he will issue whatever funds are required. Therefore, we are preparing a memo which we will submit to the Centre soon," Sarma added.

Incessant rains over the past few days and overflowing rivers have damaged parts of Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Cachar and Morigaon Districts.

The Brahmaputra River and its tributaries are flowing above the danger level in most areas.

The floods have affected about seven million people and killed over 50.

The weather office in Assam has predicted more rain in the coming days.

ANI