Dibrugarh: Flood-hit families in Dhemaji district on Wednesday urged a visiting central team to expedite compensation and take up long-term flood mitigation measures, as the delegation conducted an on-the-spot assessment of damage caused by the recent floods in Assam, officials said.The team included Praveen Kumar Rai, joint secretary, ministry of home affairs; Mahesh Kumar, joint director, finance commission division, department of expenditure, ministry of finance; and SVS P Sharma, scientist-SF, National Remote Sensing Centre.Lakhimpur MP Pradan Baruah and Jonai MLA Bhubon Pegu accompanied the team during its visit to Jonai and Simen Chapori, where officials inspected affected areas and interacted with flood-hit families.Rai said the visit was aimed at getting a first-hand account of the damage. “We are here to see for ourselves the scale of destruction and to ensure that the assessment sent to the Centre reflects the ground reality faced by the people of Dhemaji. This assessment will form the basis for determining the quantum of central assistance required for relief and rehabilitation in the affected areas,” he said.The team also inspected a railway bridge over the Simen river, which was damaged by floodwaters, affecting connectivity in the region. Officials examined the damage and discussed restoration work with local authorities.Sharma said satellite-based remote sensing data would be used to supplement the field assessment. “Our satellite imagery will help us map the full extent of inundation and damage to infrastructure, agriculture and habitations, which will be crucial in preparing an accurate report for the government,” he said.During interactions in Jonai, affected families told the team about crop losses, damaged houses and disruption of livelihoods. They also sought early compensation and long-term flood mitigation measures, citing recurring floods in the area.Baruah stressed the need for a long-term strategy to address annual flooding in the Brahmaputra basin.District officials briefed the central team on relief camps, distribution of essential supplies and the condition of embankments in Dhemaji. Officials said the team would visit more flood-affected areas before submitting its report to the Union government, which will help guide decisions on disaster relief assistance for Assam.
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