Assam Targets Pre-Puja Relief for Thousands Displaced by Floods

With flood damage across Assam estimated at Rs 480 crore, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has pledged to accelerate housing aid for nearly 27,000 destroyed homes. The state government aims to finalize relief distributions by mid-September, ensuring financial assistance reaches displaced families before the upcoming Durga Puja festivities.

Editorial·August 17, 2026·reads: 1,242

The administration has already disbursed Rs 15,000 to each of the 96,842 families impacted by last month's deluge, totaling an expenditure of Rs 146.26 crore. Current efforts focus on a comprehensive damage assessment across Charaideo, Sivasagar, Jorhat, and Golaghat, with the primary survey phase scheduled to conclude by September 11. Sarma noted that officials remain prepared to launch a third round of inspections should residents report outstanding grievances.

Beyond immediate cash transfers, the state is coordinating with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fast-track construction under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Priority is being given to Charaideo and Sivasagar, where housing stock sustained significant losses. Officials expect to provide additional support to another 3,000 to 4,000 families as verification processes continue in the hardest-hit districts.