Guwahati: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said it was premature to draw conclusions about the cause of the devastating floods in four Upper Assam districts, stressing that relief and rehabilitation must remain the immediate priority. He also expressed solidarity with neighbouring Nagaland, which has suffered extensive damage.Responding to questions on whether environmental degradation in Nagaland’s catchment areas had contributed to the floods in Assam, Sarma said the issue will be examined after the crisis has subsided. “We cannot comment because Nagaland is also under flood. They are also suffering. These things can be discussed once things are over,” he said.Sarma said the disaster was not only confined to Assam, with Nagaland’s Mon and Mokokchung districts also witnessing widespread destruction. “It is not that Assam is only under floods. Nagaland is also gripped by floods. There is tremendous damage in Mon and Mokokchung districts,” Sarma said.Emphasising the shared geography of the neighbouring states, Sarma said, “Nagaland and Assam have been put together by nature, by God. We share the same geography.”The chief minister said the two states would jointly examine the causes and possible corrective measures after the monsoon.“We will discuss what the issue is, how it happened and what the solution is. Maybe in September or October, we can meet the CM of Nagaland. By then, more satellite imagery will be available and we will have a better understanding of what happened and what needs to be done,” he said.Sarma said experts were already studying the factors behind the floods, but cautioned against allowing that exercise to divert attention from the ongoing response.“At this time, we should discuss relief and rehabilitation. Once it is over, then we’ll go to the causes. If we concentrate on those issues now, we will not be able to concentrate on relief and rehabilitation,” he said.Noting that Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat and Odisha were also battling severe floods, Sarma appealed for empathy towards those affected across the country.“Our sympathy and empathy are with all the flood-affected people of this country,” he said.
