Guwahati/Dibrugarh/Sivasagar, August 3: As Assam continues to recover from devastating floods that have ravaged Upper Assam, relief efforts received a significant boost after Reliance Foundation Founder and Chairperson Nita M. Ambani announced a contribution of ₹21 crore to the Assam Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. At the same time, the Assam government expanded financial assistance, compensation measures, and rehabilitation efforts for thousands of affected families.
Announcing the contribution, Nita Ambani expressed solidarity with the people of Assam.
“Our thoughts, prayers, and deepest solidarity are with the people of Assam. My heart goes out to every family affected by these devastating floods. Please know that you are not alone,” she said.
The donation comes as Reliance Foundation intensifies its multi-sector relief operations in the worst-hit districts of Sivasagar and Charaideo, where teams of volunteers and experts have been working alongside state authorities.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma thanked Nita Ambani and the Reliance Foundation for their continued support during times of crisis, recalling the organization’s assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said the latest contribution reflects the Foundation’s enduring commitment to the people of Assam and praised its ongoing efforts in providing food, emergency shelter, healthcare, clean drinking water, and veterinary services.
Relief Operations Underway
Reliance Foundation aims to assist at least 50,000 vulnerable people across the worst-affected districts through a comprehensive relief programme that includes:
- Restoration of damaged drinking water systems and water purification units.
- Community kitchens serving hot meals.
- Desilting and restoration of health centres.
- Emergency shelters and essential supplies.
- Door-to-door veterinary care for livestock through Vantara.
- Close coordination with district authorities to ensure relief reaches the most vulnerable families.
The Foundation said its community-driven rehabilitation programme is focused on helping displaced families return to their homes as quickly as possible.
“Our teams from Reliance Foundation and Vantara, together with volunteers from across the Reliance family, are working alongside the Government of Assam and local communities. We stand with you today, and we will continue to stand with you in the days ahead as together we rebuild lives and restore hope,” Nita Ambani said.
Chief Minister Reviews Flood Damage
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma conducted his second visit to the flood-hit districts of Sivasagar and Charaideo, inspecting affected areas in the Nazira, Mahmora, and Sonari Assembly constituencies.
Travelling by tractor and boat through inundated villages, the Chief Minister interacted with residents and reviewed ongoing relief operations.
He announced that government officials would begin door-to-door damage assessments from August 9, after which compensation for permanent losses would be processed.
The Chief Minister also assured residents that:
- Health camps would be organised in flood-affected areas.
- Farmers would receive assistance to restart agricultural activities.
- The Sundarpukhuri embankment would be strengthened to reduce future flooding.
During the visit, Sarma met the family of Nirupama Duwara and Nisha Duwara, who lost their lives after being swept away by floodwaters on July 19, and conveyed his condolences.
In Charaideo district, the Chief Minister travelled by boat to Chomoni village, where he distributed ₹4 lakh each to the families of 14 flood victims, amounting to ₹56 lakh in financial assistance.
Later, in Sonari, he visited Jaya Primary School, distributed textbooks and school uniforms to students affected by the floods, and handed over ₹5 lakh each from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to the families of five people who lost their lives in the recent disaster.
₹112 Crore Interim Relief Released Through DBT
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Sarma launched an interim flood-relief package worth nearly ₹112 crore, transferring financial assistance directly into the bank accounts of approximately 75,000 affected families across Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat, and Golaghat districts.
Each eligible household received ₹15,000 through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, with the state-wide disbursement scheduled to continue through August 5.
The government also announced:
- ₹2 lakh each for flood-damaged schools and Anganwadi centres.
- Distribution of benefits under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
Calls for Permanent Flood Solutions
Although floodwaters have begun receding in parts of Golaghat district, many villages remain submerged, leaving numerous families displaced.
Residents of villages under Komarbandha Gram Panchayat, including Kuliapani, Kapuhating, Na-Pamua, Rajnakhat, Kharjan, Mahatgaon, and Kumargaon, urged the government to develop a permanent drainage system.
Social worker Siddhartha Bora, who visited the affected villages during relief distribution, said inadequate water drainage has made flooding an annual crisis.
He appealed to the administration to establish a more effective water flow system to prevent recurring inundation.
Relief and rehabilitation operations continue across the affected districts as authorities monitor the evolving flood situation and work toward long-term mitigation measures.
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