Guwahati: The Assam government on Monday released the first instalment of interim flood relief for families affected by the recent floods, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announcing an allocation of Rs 112 crore to provide immediate financial assistance.
Under the relief package, each eligible flood-affected family will receive Rs 15,000 as interim assistance. In the first phase, more than 60,000 families across the worst-affected districts will benefit, while the number of beneficiaries is expected to increase to around 75,000 as the damage assessment continues.
According to the chief minister, the assistance will reach more than 35,000 families in Sivasagar, over 19,000 in Charaideo, more than 4,000 in Jorhat and over 2,000 families in Golaghat.
Sarma said the government is continuing its assessment of flood-hit areas to identify additional eligible households, and more families may be included in the relief programme in the coming days.
The chief minister also announced additional support for displaced families in Sivasagar and Charaideo. Households that remain unable to return to their homes by August 9 will receive an extra Rs 10,000 from August 10.
The additional assistance is intended to help families still living in relief camps or temporary shelters after their homes were damaged or rendered uninhabitable by the floods.
Sarma further said a detailed ground-level assessment of losses to property, agriculture and other flood-related damages in Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat will begin on August 10. Compensation and further financial assistance will be disbursed to eligible beneficiaries in accordance with government norms after the survey is completed.
Separately, the chief minister announced that the state government has released its share of the subsidy under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, which supports the installation of rooftop solar systems to help households reduce electricity expenses.
The announcements come as the Assam government intensifies relief, rehabilitation and recovery efforts in Upper Assam, where the recent floods caused widespread damage to homes, farmland, livestock and public infrastructure.