SHILLONG, July 17 ? With no let-up in the flood situation in Garo Hills areas, a high-level state official team reached Tura to assess the situation even as distribution of relief materials among the affected people was on, reports PTI. West Garo Hills district Deputy Commissioner S Jagannathan told PTI from Tura that rice, dal and salt were being distributed for the last three days to the affected people in 32 temporary shelters. Extra quantities of kerosene oil were also arranged for the homeless people. As Rs 5 lakh was sanctioned by the government for undertaking relief work, medicine and bleaching powder were purchased from the local market to prevent any epidemic, he said, adding the amount was, however, ?quite less.?
Meanwhile, a high-powered team comprising the Commissioners of divisions of Garo Hills, Agriculture Commissioner and other senior officials from health and family welfare and animal husbandry departments arrived at Tura to make an on-the-spot assessment of the situation. They would be taken by road to the affected areas and would chair a review meeting with the district authorities here on Sunday, the DC said. Jagannathan said the flood water remained virtually static and it rendered about 4000 people homeless and affected over 11,000 people in 45 localities. The extent of damage of standing crops like summer and winter rice, jute and maize would go up to over Rs 10 crore in the areas, he said.
Meanwhile, the state agriculture department was asked to assess the requirement of seeds for flooded areas and arrange for those in time. The public works department was directed to ensure roads, bridges and culverts, if not flooded, were kept open and free to traffic. All deputy commissioners were informed to take steps to provide relief as required.