Guwahati: The Assam government chaired a final state-level flood preparedness meeting to review and finalise strategic response measures ahead of the monsoon season.
The meeting, led by Chief Secretary Ravi Kota, brought together Deputy Commissioners, central agencies, and key stakeholders to ensure a coordinated, multi-agency approach to managing flood challenges.
The meeting emphasized the need for a robust and collaborative disaster response framework involving all relevant departments. A detailed presentation outlined the state’s flood preparedness, highlighting thematic group decisions and roles assigned to each stakeholder. UNICEF’s ongoing support was acknowledged, with over 100 personnel trained on ensuring minimum facilities at relief camps.
The India Meteorological Department projected the onset of the southwest monsoon over the Northeast by June 2. In preparation, the State Disaster Response Force has deployed 699 personnel and 299 boats across 58 vulnerable locations. Fourteen NDRF teams have been stationed across key flood-prone districts, with more teams to follow. District Commissioners have been instructed to work closely with NDRF for community capacity building.
Infrastructure agencies have been tasked with maintaining round-the-clock control rooms and ensuring readiness of Bailey bridges, additional manpower, and machinery. The Food and Civil Supplies departments are coordinating the availability and distribution of essential commodities, with a stockpile strategy in place. The Centre has allocated 20,000 MT of rice under OMSS for 2025.
Public health measures have been prioritised, with the PHED mapping drinking water and sanitation infrastructure and providing bio-toilets at designated relief camps. The Health Department is ensuring the availability of medicines, mobile boat clinics, and ambulance services.
The Agriculture Department will stock flood-resilient seeds and boost crop insurance enrolment, while Animal Husbandry has contingency plans for fodder and carcass disposal. The Women and Child Development Department has been directed to continue critical care services across relief camps.
The meeting concluded with a clear directive for all departments to work in synergy with ASDMA. The Chief Minister emphasized that Assam’s response this year must build on past successes and focus on safeguarding lives, livelihoods, and essential infrastructure.
Read More: Assam CM Reviews Progress of Key Government Initiatives