Guwahati Oct 1: The Central government has approved the release of ₹716 crore to Assam as part of the Central share from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and an advance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), an official statement said here on Tuesday.
This is part of a broader release of ₹5,858.60 crore to 14 flood-affected states, announced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. These funds are aimed at addressing the devastation caused by heavy rainfall, floods, and landslides during the current southwest monsoon season.
Assam has faced severe flooding this year, with two waves of floods claiming over 100 lives and affecting 35 districts. These floods, triggered by relentless monsoon rains, have caused widespread devastation across the state, displacing thousands of people, damaging infrastructure, and submerging large areas of farmland.
The financial distribution includes substantial amounts to states like Maharashtra (₹1,492 crore), Andhra Pradesh (₹1,036 crore), Gujarat (₹600 crore), and others, in addition to Assam’s ₹716 crore. States like Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, and northeastern states including Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, and Sikkim have also received varying amounts of financial support.
The Central government has dispatched Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCTs) to these states, including Assam, to conduct on-the-spot assessments of the damage.
The Central government, under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, has prioritized assistance to disaster-affected states.
Over ₹14,958 crore has been released to 21 states this year, including funds from SDRF, NDRF, and the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF). Apart from financial support, the Central government has provided logistical assistance, deploying National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, Army units, and Air Force personnel to help with rescue and relief operations in the flood-affected regions.
Further assessments and financial assistance are expected after IMCTs conduct evaluations in states like Bihar and West Bengal.
