The Assam government today sought an interim relief of 500 crore rupees for relief, rehabilitation and repair works in flood-affected areas across the state, which has claimed at least 13 lives so far. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said in a press conference in Guwahati that many areas are still under water, so the final assessment of damages will take some time. He said, the state government has adequate funds for immediate relief operations, but the Central assistance would be required to carry out repair works of the damage infrastructure.
Gogoi, however, lamented the Centre has not released the amount that the state government sought after floods last year. Talking about the current situation, he said the rain has stopped in many places and water level was slowly coming down. The floods have affected 18 districts with the worst-hit being Dhubri, Goalpara, Chirang, Kokrajhar and Bongaigaon.
A population of 6.16 lakh people across 1,291 villages were currently suffering and altogether 260 relief camps have been opened so far with 1.79 lakh persons taking shelter in them.