Sivasagar | Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said the state government will begin assessing flood-damaged houses from August 9 to expedite relief and rehabilitation for families affected by the recent floods, while asserting that concerns over mining activities in neighbouring Nagaland would be taken up with the Centre.

Speaking during his visit to flood-hit areas in Sivasagar and Charaideo districts, Sarma said the government had spent the past two days interacting with affected residents and assuring them of timely assistance.

“We have been meeting flood victims over the last two days and assuring them of relief. From August 9, we will begin detailed measurements of damaged houses so that assistance can be provided as quickly as possible,” he said.

The Chief Minister said the district administration had already identified nearly one lakh beneficiaries eligible for assistance and that the list prepared by deputy commissioners had been verified by the government.

“The Deputy Commissioner has already given us the names, and we have examined the list. Nearly one lakh people have already been identified for assistance,” he said.

Sarma said temporary arrangements had been made for families displaced by the floods, while permanent houses for eligible beneficiaries would be constructed under the state’s rehabilitation programme.

Referring to prolonged waterlogging in several areas, he attributed the slow drainage to the unusually high water level of the Brahmaputra River. “The water is unable to flow out easily because of the high river level. We will make every effort to drain out the water as quickly as possible,” he said.

The Chief Minister also acknowledged that certain highway stretches had obstructed the natural flow of floodwater and said the state would request the National Highways Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) to construct additional cross-drainage structures to improve water discharge.

Addressing concerns that mining activities in neighbouring Nagaland may have aggravated flooding, Sarma said Assam had no jurisdiction over mining operations outside the state.

“I am the Chief Minister of Assam. I cannot stop mining in Nagaland. I will raise the issue with the Centre. There is no illegal mining in Assam. We need a scientific study to determine the actual cause of the problem,” he said, adding that Nagaland had also suffered flood damage.

He further said embankments would be constructed in vulnerable areas wherever land was made available by local residents, stressing that community cooperation would be crucial for long-term flood mitigation.

Responding to opposition MLA Akhil Gogoi’s demand for enhanced compensation for flood victims, Sarma said the government would provide as much support as financially feasible. “People should get more than Rs 10 lakh if possible, but we are running the government and know the financial realities,” he said.

In a political jibe, the Chief Minister also criticised Gogoi over his recent visit to flood-hit areas. “Akhil Gogoi made a reel by swimming in floodwater. The question is, whom did he rescue?” Sarma remarked.