Be ready for potential threats of flood, says Assam CM to officials ahead of monsoon

Guwahati: Ahead of the monsoon, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday asked officials to prepare for the possibility of floods. To help people living in low-lying areas where flood water will submerge, Sarma asked the DCs to set up relief camps and streamline relief distribution.

He spoke to deputy commissioners (DCs) and other senior officials in a video conference. He said all government departments including NHAI, NHIDC, NDRF, and SDRF should remain alert to reach out to the affected people during a natural calamity.

Deputy commissioners were also asked to visit the embankments breached during floods in 2022 and take precautionary measures and assess the available stock of food materials and fodder.

He also spoke of the damage caused to an embankment in the Cachar district last year which caused a catastrophic flood in Silchar town and its adjoining areas and said the DCs should keep vigil. "If required, ensure area domination to avert unscrupulous elements from causing harm to embankments."

Principal Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management, Gyanendra Dev Tripathi was asked to take steps for the pre-positioning of NDRF and SDRF personnel in vulnerable districts, especially in Dima Hasao. He also asked the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) to activate an early warning system. The preparedness of medical teams and the availability of medicine stock were also reviewed.

Monsoon arrived in the region on Saturday and Assam has been experiencing rainfall over the past couple of days.