One more dies in Assam floods, signs of improvement seen

GUWAHATI: Assam's flood situation showed signs of improvement as the number of people affected came down to 3,72,471 from 3,81,320 on Friday thanks to no further rains. However, the death toll due to drowning increased to six after one more person died at Kampur in Nagoan district.
According to Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the number of affected districts also fell from seven to six on Saturday after Dibrugarh was taken off the list. Similarly, the number of people residing in relief camps also come down to 17,770 from 21,807 on Friday.
Meanwhile, the 15th Finance Commission has included river erosion in the list of natural calamities. This comes as a big boost for the state as it will now help bring in more financial assistance from the Centre. Chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal said in response to Assam government's plea, the 15th Finance Commission accorded river erosion as a natural calamity and recommended for adequate compensation, including rehabilitation under SDRF and NDRF.
"Central government has asked the state to submit a detailed report incorporating the details of those victims in the state who rendered landless and homeless due to erosion," Sonowal said. H added, "This would ultimately bring to an end to the long-pending problem that people of Assam have been going through owning to erosion."
Speaking on the Rs 772 crore earmarked under SDRF by the Narendra Modi government, Sonowal said the state has already received Rs 386 crore. "Besides, flood and erosion, the state government has released substantial amounts to look after other calamities that the districts might go through," he added.