Assam’s flood preparedness measures were thoroughly reviewed in a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Ravi Kota on Saturday, as the state gears up for the upcoming monsoon season. Officials from various departments and central agencies participated in the discussion, with district commissioners joining remotely.
During the meeting, Gyanendra D Tripathi, CEO of the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), presented an extensive overview of the agency’s preparedness initiatives across the state and district levels. He highlighted the completion of seven thematic meetings with stakeholders and multiple video conferences with District Disaster Management Authorities for a comprehensive assessment of flood readiness.
Chief Secretary Kota emphasized the importance of close coordination among all departments and agencies to ensure effective flood management during the monsoon. “It is critical that all stakeholders work in tandem with ASDMA to mitigate the impact of floods,” he said.
The South West Monsoon is expected to enter the Northeast region by early June, heightening the urgency of preparedness efforts.
Officials from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) reported that out of 18 teams nationwide, 14 are already deployed in Assam. These teams are strategically prepositioned in Cachar, Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Sivasagar, Dhemaji, and Sonitpur districts to respond quickly to any emergency.
The Fire & Emergency Services shared that 639 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel and 299 rescue boats have been stationed across 58 locations to bolster rescue operations during the flood season.
Several key decisions were made to strengthen flood response capabilities. District commissioners were instructed to utilize NDRF teams to train local responders and communities, enhancing capacity at the grassroots level. The Public Health Engineering Department will assist urban local bodies in ensuring access to safe drinking water in flood-affected areas. Meanwhile, the Agriculture Department will launch a special drive to enroll farmers in crop insurance schemes to protect their livelihoods from flood-related damages.
With these coordinated efforts and strategic planning, Assam aims to mitigate the adverse effects of floods and safeguard its people as the monsoon approaches.
Sources By Agencies