Assam Floods: 23 lakh people affected in 29 districts; water level receding

Darrang (Assam) [India], July 7 : The flood situation in Assam is gradually improving, with the deluge affecting 23 lakh people across 29 districts. The situation is improving in Darrang district, where floods have affected 1. 63 people and submerged 98 villages. The water level of the Brahmaputra River is receding.
Assam Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika visited the flood-affected areas in Darrang district on Sunday and took stock of the situation.
Hazarika told ANI that the water level in the Brahmaputra River and its tributaries is receding now.
"There are four embankment breaches that occurred in Assam this time. On the riverside, lots of destruction has happened. We are seriously monitoring the situation. We are helping our people. We are giving enough flood relief materials to the flood affected people. The water levels of the Brahmaputra River and its tributaries are receding now and I believe that in the next 5 to 7 days, it will be a good scenario. The destruction is less as compared to previous floods. In the second wave of floods, breaches occurred in four places only. People who live by the riverside have been highly affected," Hazarika said.
He further said that the government is going to construct 220 km of new embankments in the state this year.
"After completion of this, we will have only 120 km of unbanked areas. By next year, I think we will do that also. After two years, there will be no unembankment portion in Assam. We are maintaining all embankments that were constructed earlier. From time to time, we are strengthening the embankments," Hazarika said.
On the other hand, BJP MP Dilip Saikia told ANI that the central and state governments are taking all possible steps for the flood-hit victims.
"The centre has provided all possible help to the state government and the Assam Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, visited all areas and took stock of the situation," he said.
"Floods are a regular phenomenon in the state. The government is providing immediate relief to the flood-affected people. In Darrang district, more than 2 lakh people have been affected," Saikia said.
He said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah himself is monitoring the situation and Prime Minister, Narendra Modi is taking regular updates from the Chief Minister.
He further said that the budget allocation for the Water Resources Department has increased to more than Rs 2500 crore under the BJP rule from Rs 200-250 crore during the Congress tenure.
On the other hand, the locals of Misamari Char, Borochar, Egarachi Char, Bogmari, Hatipori, Alga Char, Hatiala Cha, Chatiara, Deka Char, and War Char areas are facing massive problems after floods submerged all the roads.
Country-made boats are the only means of transport left for the locals of around 15-20 villages located nearby the Brahmaputra river.
According to the district administration, the flood waters submerged 1609 hectares of crop area in the district.
Muktar Ali, a resident of Hatipori Char, said that "people are facing lots of problems."
Sukur Ali said that "10,000-15,000 people have been affected in the Char areas (riverine areas) in Darrang district. Many people are still living under water."
Many flood-affected people in Darrang district are taking shelter on roads and embankments after the flood waters submerged their houses.