Assam floods: At least ₹1,000 crore needed for rehabilitation, says CM Himanta
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said that at least ₹1,000 crore would be required for repairing property and rehabilitating people affected by the latest wave of floods in the state. Addressing a press conference in Guwahati, he said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured full assistance in the rehabilitation process.
To provide permanent relief, a rapid relief assessment drive was launched on August 9. According to an initial report, over 8,000 families have been assessed and damage worth ₹150 crore has been estimated, Mr. Sarma said. The survey will continue till August 30 and is expected to cover 50,000–60,000 families in the Upper Assam districts that have been hit hardest by the floods.
“I believe there will be spending of over ₹1,000 crore on damage repair and rehabilitation. The PM has assured that there is no issue in paying the affected families and asked us to assess without any lapse,” Mr. Sarma said.
The Chief Minister also acknowledged support from various groups in providing relief to those affected. He noted that 72 YouTubers have raised funds across the country for this purpose. “Many of them are already working on the ground and giving relief to the people. We are keeping a close watch on them whether they are spending the money for flood-affected areas,” he added.
In a separate initiative, Mr. Sarma released ₹11.3 crore to rebuild 494 flood-damaged anganwadi centres across Upper Assam. “We want to restart these centres as soon as possible so that all services can be provided. Altogether, 494 anganwadi centres, which were damaged, will be rebuilt in this drive,” he said. Each centre will receive up to ₹2.5 lakh to restore these vital community spaces.
The floods have caused widespread devastation in Assam, affecting lakhs of people and damaging infrastructure, crops, and homes. The state government has been working on relief and rehabilitation, with the central government’s support. The assessment drive aims to ensure that all affected families receive adequate compensation and assistance.
Earlier this month, the flood situation had turned critical in several districts, with rivers like the Brahmaputra flowing above danger levels. The administration had set up relief camps and distribution centres for those displaced. The latest announcement from the Chief Minister underscores the scale of the challenge and the need for sustained efforts.
Observers note that the rehabilitation process will require close coordination between the state and central governments, as well as transparency in the utilisation of funds. The involvement of non-state actors, including digital content creators, in fundraising is seen as a positive development, but officials have emphasised the need for proper monitoring to ensure funds reach the intended beneficiaries.
As the floodwaters recede, the focus is shifting from immediate relief to long-term reconstruction. The rebuilding of anganwadi centres is a step towards restoring essential services for children and mothers. The state government has promised that no eligible family will be left out of the compensation process.
