Chief Minister says 20-25 percent of worst-hit areas remain inaccessible, while cautioning that unchecked development Meghalaya’s Jorabat-USTM region poses a long-term threat to Guwahati
Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the flood situation in Upper Assam remains “very grim”, warning that the death toll is likely to increase as nearly 20-25 per cent of the worst-affected areas are still beyond the reach of rescue teams.
“The situation is very pathetic and dangerous,” the Chief Minister said, attributing the devastation to 435-493 per cent excess rainfall in parts of Assam and Nagaland between July 18 and 19. He said Charaideo and Sivasagar, districts that rarely experience floods, have been the worst affected, with 31 deaths reported so far and seven people officially missing.
The Chief Minister said around seven lakh people have been impacted, while rescue operations involving the Army, Indian Air Force, NDRF and state agencies continue. He added that an inter-ministerial Central team will visit Assam on July 25 to assess the damage.
Separately, the Chief Minister warned that rapid development in Meghalaya’s Jorabat-USTM region could worsen flooding and landslide risks for Guwahati. Citing a Supreme Court-appointed committee’s findings, he urged the Meghalaya government to regulate construction activity.
“Otherwise, Guwahati will become an unmanageable city,” he said, adding that the matter remains pending before the Supreme Court.
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