National Desk, 23rd July: In a significant move to address the persistent flood challenges in Assam, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced on Tuesday that the central government will extend substantial support for flood management projects as part of the Union Budget for 2024-25.
During her budget presentation, Sitharaman underscored the pressing need for targeted assistance in regions severely affected by recent natural calamities, including Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim. The budget earmarks a noteworthy Rs 11,500 crore specifically for flood mitigation efforts in Bihar, reinforcing the government’s commitment to managing flood crises nationwide.
Assam is currently grappling with an intense flood situation, impacting 1,30,888 individuals across 23 revenue circles and 423 villages in 10 districts. The catastrophic floods, exacerbated by landslides, lightning, and storms, have resulted in 113 fatalities this year. Notably, the Brahmaputra River is flowing above the danger level in Dhubri, while the Disang River shows similar distress in Nanglamuraghat.
This budget allocation marks a crucial step towards bolstering flood management infrastructure and mitigating the devastating effects of such natural disasters in Assam and other vulnerable regions.