PM promises help to flood-hit Assam

The PM spoke with CM Sarbanand Sonowal on Monday for the second time and assured the state government of ‘all possible support’.

With the flood situation in Assam deteriorating, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to chief minister Sarbanand Sonowal on Monday for the second time in as many days and said all possible support is being provided to the state.

Commuters wade through flood waters on a road in Murkata village east of Guwahati on Monday. (AP Photo)

The prime minister said the central government has been closely and constantly monitoring the flood situation in Assam.

“PM @narendramodi spoke to Assam CM @sarbanandsonwal yesterday & today regarding the flood situation in the state,” the PMO tweeted.

“All possible support is being provided to Assam for overcoming the flood situation prevailing in parts of the state,” Modi said.

The flood situation in Assam has deteriorated, with at least 99 people dying and 22.5 lakh being affected in 21 districts, according to officials.

The Army has been called out for rescue operations in the state.

Sonowal informed the prime minister on Sunday about the devastation caused by the flood in middle and upper Assam and the disruption to vehicular movement on National Highway 37, the lifeline between the two areas, a state government spokesman said on Sunday.

Principal secretary to the prime minister Nripendra Mishra has asked Assam chief secretary VK Pipersenia to submit a report detailing the damage and devastation caused by the current wave of floods in the state.