Guwahati: Widespread flooding has gripped Assam, with the State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) reporting that more than 3.64 lakh people have been affected across 19 districts. The relentless floodwaters have submerged 758 villages in 54 revenue circles, severely impacting significant areas including Bajali, Bilasipara, Charaideo, Darrang, Dhubri, Dibrugarh, Guwahati, Hojai, Kaliabor, Lakhimpur, Majuli, Nalbari, North Kamrup, South Kamrup, and South Salmara-Mankachar, painting a grim picture for thousands of residents.
In a swift response to the escalating crisis, the Assam Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has issued a rallying cry to its workers, urging them to actively engage in comprehensive relief operations. The party’s state headquarters has directed district committees to ensure that no affected individual is overlooked in the distribution of aid, with dedicated committees formed across various districts to oversee and facilitate the smooth flow of assistance to those in dire need.
Assam BJP President Dilip Saikia has personally appealed to party workers, asking them to serve the flood-affected communities with unwavering dedication and compassion. He has called for wholehearted participation in both relief and rescue operations, underscoring the party’s firm commitment to providing continuous support to the beleaguered regions and demonstrating solidarity with the affected populace.
Concurrently, Assam’s Health and Family Welfare Minister, Ashok Singhal, convened a crucial review meeting to assess the health services in the flood-affected areas. The minister laid emphasis on the critical need for continuous health check-ups and the timely distribution of essential medicines within relief shelters. Medical teams have been put on high alert, instructed to remain vigilant against the anticipated surge in waterborne and other infectious diseases during this challenging period.
Minister Singhal’s comprehensive review also extended to efforts aimed at controlling malaria in the Indo-Bhutan border areas, specifically in the districts of Kokrajhar and Chirang. Furthermore, he has directed the establishment of Fast Referral Units (FRUs) in every Assembly constituency to ensure prompt access to maternal, pediatric, and emergency health services, thereby strengthening the healthcare infrastructure in the face of the disaster.
Adding another dimension to the relief efforts, and as part of the ongoing Fit India Movement, the Director of Ayush, Assam, has been tasked with organising regular yoga training sessions at every Ayushman Arogya Mandir. These sessions are intended to foster health awareness and encourage community participation in maintaining physical fitness, aiming to build public health resilience amidst the challenging flood conditions and promote overall well-being.
The ongoing floods have starkly highlighted the urgent need for coordinated efforts among political, health, and community organisations to mitigate the severe impacts on the affected populations. With proactive steps being undertaken by both the government and allied bodies, there is a palpable sense of hope for a structured and effective response to this pressing humanitarian crisis. As the situation continues to unfold, the collaborative synergy between governmental departments, political parties, and community organisations will undoubtedly be pivotal in providing the much-needed relief and rehabilitation to all those affected by these devastating floods.
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