by Bhupen Goswami

Guwahati : The Ministers, MLAs and MPs have finally taken out time to visit the flood-affected areas in the state. The devastating flood in Assam which has taken lives of at least 42 people living 72 lakhs people affected is one of the worst floods that Assam has ever witnessed. Although the flood victims have repeatedly said that they have not got the required relief material and that they need proper attention from the government, the ministers didn’t even get time to visit those people and it was after the rains have stopped that the ministers, MLAs and MPs have got time to visit the areas to take stock of the situation.

Former minister, Rockybul Hussain has visited the flood-affected areas in Roha and takes stock of the situation in Aamtola, Magurgaon, Komargaon by riding in a boat. Although the Congress leader has taken stock of the flooded areas, he has not visited the people living in the camps without having food even for a single time. At least 50% of the Roha constituency has submerged underwater. The communication has been interrupted and people have to rely only on the bamboo raft. On the other hand, thousands of people are living under flood in Kalgachia.

The PWD road of Kalgachia to Mainabori area is completely submerged under-water. People have made boats and bamboo rafts as their vehicles to communicate in the PWD roads. Meanwhile, in Biswanath too, Water Resource Minister of Assam government, Keshab Mahanta has also visited the flood-affected areas. The minister seeks blessings at Gangmo Than in Behali before heading towards the flood-affected areas. Mahanta had reached Biswanath on Wednesday night and visited Gangmo Than in the early morning on Thursday after which he visited flood-affected areas in Gangmo Than, Lalpukhuri, Dathkola camp, Koribil Bengali village, Kalyani Temple and other areas to take stock of flood and erosion. The Minister has also visited Lakhimpur district to take stock of flood. Speaking to reporters, Mahanta said, “The embankments are very old and although we have tried to make the embankments heavy many embankments have not yet been able to make strong. Therefore, the wave of Brahmaputra has breached these embankments. We will try to make these embankments more powerful so that it would not be breached.”meanwhile,Former brand ambassador of Assam Tourism Priyanka Chopra Jonas have urged all for help the flood victims of Assam. In a tweet, Hollywood star wrote, Extremely devastated by all the news coming in from #Assam and other parts of India. It’s heartbreaking to read about the displacement and loss of life. My prayers with those affected.

Please donate at (link: https://cm.assam.gov.in/relieffund.php) cm.assam.gov.in/relieffund.php and (link: https://donate.oxfamindia.org/assam-floods-2018) donate.oxfamindia.org/assam-floods-2…

This is noteworthy that Akshay Kumar was the first one from Bollywood to come forward and extend by pledging Rs 2 crore. Rs 1 crore was given for Kaziranga National Park and another Rs 1 crore for the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. Ace Sprinter Hima Das has also donated one month salary for the flood victims. However, the donation to the flood victims both from outside or inside Assam have so far been very lukewarm.Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar will donate Rs 1 crore each to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, after the flood-stricken Assam, and the Kaziranga Park. “Absolutely heartbreaking to know about the devastation by floods in Assam. All affected, humans or animals, deserve support in this hour of crisis.

I’d like to donate 1 cr each to the CM Relief Fund and to Kaziranga Park rescue,” Akshay tweeted on Wednesday.The National Award-winning star also urged everyone to contribute for the cause. “Appealing to all to contribute,” he added.While 15 people have been killed in floods and landslides and over 72 lakh have been affected in Assam, 46 deaths have also been reported from north Bihar, which is also facing a serious flood situation, with water levels of rivers in the area continuing to rise. An official of the Assam State Disaster Management Authority said that 4,175 villages with 46.28 lakh people have been affected due to the floods as of Monday afternoon, while close to 90,000 hectare of agricultural land is inundated. Over 10 lakh animals have also been affected. Almost 98 per cent of the Kaziranga National Park has been submerged, and authorities are taking various measures, including speed restrictions on NH 37 which touches the park, to save animals as they head to higher grounds.