GUWAHATI

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday (August 15, 2026) said the State government was preparing a comprehensive rehabilitation plan for the flood-affected families.

He said the focus of such a plan would be on rebuilding infrastructure, restoring livelihoods, and creating a more flood-resilient Assam.

In his Independence Day message, the Chief Minister emphasised stronger infrastructure, reliable early-warning forecasts, and resilient livelihoods, maintaining that a rapid digital assessment of the flood damage would enable faster rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Earlier, he said Assam would require at least ₹1,000 crore to rebuild the flood-hit areas. Although a maximum of 16 districts experienced floods since April this year, eastern Assam’s Sivasagar, Charaideo, and Jorhat districts bore the brunt.

According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority, the floods have killed 104 people and affected up to 7.21 lakh people so far.

The Chief Minister said the government would help the eligible flood-affected people repair damaged houses and restore livestock, poultry, tube wells, looms and textiles. “The government will also provide a loan repayment moratorium to ease the financial burden on such families,” he said, addressing the 80th Independence Day celebrations in Guwahati’s Khanapara.

“During this difficult time, the government has not limited itself to providing relief. We are standing beside every flood-affected family and are working with urgency to help them return to normal life,” the Chief Minister said.

He also outlined his vision for a peaceful, self-reliant and opportunity-driven Assam, focusing on development, social reform, economic empowerment, and inclusive growth. He said the State’s economy almost tripled in less than a decade, enabling it to invest in transformative infrastructure and development.

Announcing the creation of a Youth Empowerment and Development Department to focus on youth skills and expand entrepreneurial support, the Chief Minister proposed a policy to support women abandoned by government employees without a legal divorce.

“If a government employee abandons his wife without legally divorcing her and enters into an informal marriage with another woman, 20% of his salary would be deducted and deposited into the bank account of the first wife upon her application to the government,” he said.

He said the government was working on similar legislation to provide financial protection to women abandoned by employees in the private sector.

Meanwhile, Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi began an indefinite hunger strike in Sivasagar on Saturday, demanding ₹10 lakh as compensation for each flood-affected family and commercial establishment in the State.

“The government must also conduct a detailed investigation into the factors behind the devastating floods, identify those responsible, and take appropriate action against them,” he said.

Published - August 15, 2026 02:49 pm IST