Assam: Floods force BJP to put off executive meet

GUWAHATI: In view of the worsening flood situation across the state, BJP’s Assam president Bhabesh Kalita has postponed the party’s state executive, which was slated to be held on Wednesday and Thursday in Duliajan, and asked the party workers to volunteer in flood relief and rescue exercises in sync with the district administrations.
He said the flood situation in the state has turned grim affecting lakhs of people. “Therefore, we have decided to postpone the executive meeting. ‘Seva hi sangathan’ is the motto of the party. The party workers across the state have been asked to be available for rescue and flood relief in sync with the government. People need help at this time,” he added.
“The state leadership and party workers have already started visiting the flood-affected areas and providing necessary help to the affected people. The state government has sufficient funds for flood relief. District administrations have already been provided necessary relief packages. The central government will provide more funds if required,” he added.
Over eight lakh people have been affected by the devastating deluge across 29 districts in the state as on Friday.
The floods have claimed at least five persons and a landslide caused by incessant rain has claimed the lives of five more in the state so far.
Over 300 relief camps have been set up by the district administrations for the flood-affected people.
According to the Central Water Commission, the Brahmaputra was flowing above the danger level in Jorhat as well as Kopili river in Nagaon, Disang in Sivasagar and Barak and Kushirara rivers in Barak Valley.
The state’s ministers have continuously been taking stock of the flood situation by visiting the flood-affected areas.
The state government has appealed to the flood-hit people to avoid going fishing or any other activity related to water so that no untoward incident takes place.