In Assam, the official flood death toll has risen to 75, with seven more deaths reported yesterday from Sivasagar district alone. The flood situation in the affected districts of Upper Assam is gradually returning to normal, with floodwaters receding from most areas. Essential services, including electricity, have been restored in a majority of the flood-affected localities.

 

Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced an ex-gratia of 4 lakh rupees for families of persons who lost their lives in flood-related incidents, without the requirement of a post-mortem examination. A series of relief and rehabilitation measures include an ex-gratia of 4 lakh rupees to the families of persons who remain missing for more than 30 days, subject to due procedures.

 

In addition, families of the deceased will receive an extra 5 lakh rupees from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, over and above the 4 lakh rupee ex-gratia assistance. More than one lakh severely flood-affected families will be provided 15,000 rupees each to meet their immediate essential needs.

 

Under the Orunodoi scheme, beneficiaries in the flood-hit districts of Charaideo, Jorhat, Golaghat and Sivasagar will receive 2,500 rupees for the month of August when the scheme resumes on the 1st of next month.

 

The government has also announced educational assistance for students of severely affected districts from August 1. This includes book grants of 1,000, 3,000 and 5,000 rupees. Free textbooks and assistance for purchasing school uniforms will also be provided. The assessment of damage to houses, livestock, fisheries and crops will begin on August 3, following which compensation will be provided to eligible beneficiaries.