A six-member Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) concluded its assessment of flood-affected districts in eastern Assam on July 29 after holding a review meeting with Chief Secretary Ravi Kota at Janata Bhawan in Dispur.
During the meeting, Additional Chief Secretary for Revenue and Disaster Management and Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) Chief Executive Officer L. Sweety Changsan briefed the delegation on the factors that led to the recent floods, the extent of the damage and the challenges encountered by the state while responding to what officials described as an unprecedented disaster.
The IMCT, led by M. Ramachandrudu, Joint Secretary (DM-II) in the Ministry of Home Affairs, had earlier conducted field visits to Charaideo on July 26, Sivasagar on July 27, and Jorhat and Golaghat on July 28 to assess the impact of the floods firsthand.
The review meeting was attended by officials from multiple Assam government departments, representatives of central agencies including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Indian Army, Northeast Frontier Railway, Food Corporation of India (FCI), Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), as well as district administrations of the four affected districts, with several participants joining virtually.
State government officials informed the delegation that the flooding in Charaideo, Sivasagar, Jorhat and Golaghat differed significantly from previous flood events, noting that Charaideo and Sivasagar have historically not been considered flood-prone districts.
According to the presentation, exceptionally heavy rainfall in Nagaland on July 19, particularly in Mokokchung, Wokha and Mon districts, coupled with intense localised rainfall in Charaideo and Sivasagar, triggered widespread flooding across eastern Assam. Officials also outlined the extensive damage caused to homes, livelihoods and public infrastructure.
The Assam government said rescue operations were carried out with the support of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), NDRF, Fire and Emergency Services personnel and local volunteers. It added that relief distribution had been undertaken in accordance with prescribed guidelines and that family relief kits containing rice, dal, mustard oil, salt and candles were being transported from neighbouring districts to Sivasagar and Charaideo to support affected families.
Officials informed the central team that damage assessment is still in progress and that a comprehensive flood memorandum would be submitted to the Centre after the conclusion of the flood season. Senior state officials also requested the IMCT to consider relaxing SDRF assistance norms to facilitate greater support for residents of the worst-affected districts.
The central delegation assured the Assam government that its field observations and findings would be submitted to the Government of India for further consideration.
Besides team leader M. Ramachandrudu, the IMCT comprised representatives from the Central Water Commission, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Rural Development, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and the National Remote Sensing Centre. Senior officials from Assam’s Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Industries, and Panchayat and Rural Development departments also attended the meeting.
