“This is not a natural calamity but man-made flood, expect stricter than strict action,” CM in Silchar

Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma held a review meeting in the office of deputy commissioner Cachar. Before that Sarma visited the Silchar airport and took off on a chopper for an aerial survey along with Silchar MP Dr Rajdeep Roy Roy and Cachar DC Keerti Jalli.

The chief minister assured that the government of the state is keeping a close eye on the situation in Barak Valley, especially Cachar district. He said 10 senior officers from the state secretariat will visit Silchar and help Cachar DC Keerti Jalli DC in the relief and rescue operations going on throughout the district.

He also announced that every morning relief items containing essential goods will be air dropped by special aircraft of Indian Air Force. Every day state headquarters will send one lakh bottle of water for the people of Silchar who are stranded in several parts of the town because of the deluge.

The chief minister was questioned about the breach at Bethukandi embankment which is considered as the primary reason behind the unprecedented floods the Silchar is facing. “Stay assured stricter than strict actions will be taken and it will set a precedent for sure,” replied the CM.

He added, “This is not a natural calamity but this is a man-made flood. The dam bank has been destroyed and then videos were made to stake claim of the damage.”

Another severe issue that the people of Silchar are facing at this moment is healthcare services. Key junctions of Silchar through Hospital Road and through Ram Nagar are submerged and non-pliable for vehicular at traffic. The condition of the Silchar Civil Hospital has remained abysmal with very few doctors and total outrage of power. In such a situation this hospital at the heart of the town plays a vital role in dealing with emergency health situation. The CM said he will discuss the matter with stakeholders and ensure civil Hospital is providing the necessary service to deal with the nemesis people of Barak Valley are facing.

About the situation of no power in Silchar, the chief minister informed senior engineers of APDCL will visit and supervise recovery. However the transformers that are submerged in water can only be restored once the water has receded beyond the danger level.

After reviewing the situation he said in the next 48 hours if there is no downpour the situation is likely to improve.