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As recurring deluge across Assam continues to displace communities and submerge vast swathes of land, ruling BJP legislator Mrinal Saikia from Khumtai has drawn attention to the devastating blow dealt to the state's agrarian foundations.
Speaking to ANI in Guwahati on the current flood situation, the lawmaker highlighted that while immediate relief efforts are underway, the destruction extends far beyond physically submerged property. The loss of human lives and the widespread destruction of livestock and poultry farming have severely crippled the rural economy. Urging central and state authorities to step up aid beyond basic emergency relief, Saikia emphasised that direct monetary compensation for rural livelihoods is vital to help affected families rebuild. Saikia said, "The flood has completely shattered the economies of several districts in Assam, specifically the rural economy, such as cattle rearing and poultry farming. The government must provide compensation for all the losses suffered in the poultry and livestock sectors...lives have also been lost...the government is making efforts, but it must certainly compensate for these losses," Saikia said. Severe flooding has devastated fundamental rural income streams, particularly cattle rearing and poultry farming, which sustain thousands of rural households across multiple districts. Beyond standard relief, the government must formulate a clear compensation structure specifically covering losses suffered in the livestock and poultry sectors. The MLA noted the loss of human lives caused by the floodwaters and acknowledged ongoing government relief efforts, while maintaining that direct aid needs to be far more comprehensive. The death toll from the floods in Assam has risen to 68, according to the latest bulletin issued by the Disaster Reporting and Information Management System (DRIMS) here on Monday. CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that ministers from the state government will reach out across the state to coordinate the rehabilitation operations. The state government's priority remains addressing relief to citizens in the worst-affected districts like Sivasagar, Jorhat and Golaghat. Earlier, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said that a coordinated exercise was being mounted to restore power in areas where it had been suspended. "As Assam steadily recovers from the floods, power restoration efforts continue across affected districts. Following the precautionary suspension of electricity supply during the floods, Assam Power Distribution Co. Ltd teams have been carrying out comprehensive safety inspections while restoring power in a phased manner across Sivasagar, Jorhat, Charaideo, Dhubri, Bongaigaon & other affected areas. We remain committed to restoring essential services at the earliest and ensuring every affected community returns to normalcy," the CM said. On Sunday, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal described the flood situation in Assam as "very serious" and said the Centre and the state government are working together to carry out relief and rescue operations for those affected. Speaking to reporters, Sonowal said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been closely monitoring the situation since the floods began and has remained in constant touch with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. "The flood situation in Assam is very serious, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been engaged in gathering information about this situation from the very beginning. He has also spoken to the Assam Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma and has also gathered information about this situation. From the very beginning, the Central Government has been fully engaged in assisting the State Government and helping all our flood-affected people in this situation. Both the governments are jointly distributing relief material and carrying out rescue operations," Sonowal said. He said the Prime Minister also spoke to him on Sunday morning, sought an update on the ground situation and assured the people of Assam of all possible assistance from the Centre. "The Prime Minister called me this morning and inquired about the situation. I explained the details of what I personally saw yesterday, and the Prime Minister said, 'Tell the people of Assam that we stand with them and are ready to provide any assistance.' The state government and the central government will jointly take action on this issue. We will take whatever steps are necessary. As per the Prime Minister's instructions, a high-level inter-ministerial team has arrived and will be speaking with the affected people and assessing their situation," he said. (ANI)
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