Guwahati, July 23: Assam and Sikkim- two states from the Northeast which have been hit by floods this year have found support from the 2024-25 Union Budget presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

More than 1.6 million people are affected by floods in the region.

She said Assam grapples with floods every year by the Brahmaputra River and its tributaries, originating outside India. “We will provide assistance to Assam for flood management and related projects” she added.

She said recently Sikkim witnessed devastating flash floods and landslides that wreaked havoc across the state. “Our Government will provide assistance to the state” she added.

North Eastern Council said on X that the special financial package will enhance the recovery process, restore infrastructure, and boost economic growth in the region.

Thanking the Centre for realising the ordeals of flood victims of Assam and its commitment to support us in managing floods and other related issues, Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika said on X- With the support from Union Govt, we can definitely build a flood-free Assam.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the flood situation in Assam and on the various efforts underway to mitigate the challenges faced by our people.

CEO Assam State Disaster Management Authority Gyandendra Dev Tripathi asked the Inter-ministerial Central Team(IMCT) to declare the two waves of floods in 2004 as calamities of severe nature. Further, IMCT was also requested to recommend the release of Rs 500 Crores from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) on an interim basis.

Mihir Kumar of IMCT said the team had a bird’s eye view of the damages caused by the recent Assam Floods. He elaborated on the assessment done by the team on the grounds and highlighted the severe inundation of agricultural lands that these two waves of floods had caused. He appreciated the level of preparedness displayed by the districts and the Govt of Assam and the prompt and effective relief operation undertaken in the flood-affected areas.

Ajay Tiwari, Addl. Chief Secretary to the Govt. of Assam had told the high-level (IMCT) which had visited Assam recently that Cyclone Remal triggered the first wave of floods and the state has already encountered two waves which have affected humans, livestock, and wildlife alike.

Sikkim in October 2023 had confronted a significant crisis as flash floods, set off by the bursting of Lhonak Lake, caused extensive damage along the Teesta River. The overpowering force of nature swept away six essential bridges in North Sikkim, including the critical Chungthang bridge thus severing lines of communication to Lachen and Lachung valley. Army infrastructure had suffered losses too. In 2024 too, relentless heavy rains triggered flash floods and landslides, causing widespread damage and chaos across the region.

Read: Union Budget 2024-25: Major Highlights

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