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Over 40,000 families, solely dependent on their paddy fields, are left with a thick layer of sand that the flood waters deposited, rendering them uncultivable for 10 to 15 years.

Written by Samudra Gupta Kashyap | Guwahati | Published:August 1, 2017 5:29 am



The floods in Assam have receded and most of the 25 lakh affected people in 29 districts have returned to their villages. But over 40,000 families, solely dependent on their paddy fields, are left with a thick layer of sand that the flood waters deposited, rendering them uncultivable for 10 to 15 years. In some areas deposition of sand is up to 10 feet.

“While the government is readying paddy saplings for free distribution among the flood-affected farmers, these 40,000-odd families will be unable to grow anything for several years. We are trying to work out a plan to remove the sand. But where do we shift the sand?” asked Assam Agriculture Minister Atul Bora.
“If something is not done urgently to clear the sand deposits and restore the fertility of the paddy fields, hundreds of these rural families will be forced to migrate to cities. The government must adopt a multi-pronged approach to tackle this problem,” Guwahati-based economist Amiya Kumar Sharma said.

“Experience has shown that those fields that have a thinner layer of sand deposit can be used for growing buck-wheat and oilseeds like linseed apart from vegetables like brinjals and potatoes. But for that one has to ensure some irrigation and proper market linkage,” said Kishore Kumar Sharma, a professor of plant breeding at the Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat.

http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/assam...hes-77-1729190

Assam Flood Situation Improves But Number Of Dead Reaches 77

The Assam government has sought to strengthen 5,000-kilometres-long embankments to prevent flood

All India | Press Trust of India | Updated: July 26, 2017 00:25 IST



GUWAHATI: With most rivers in Assam flowing below the danger mark, the flood situation in the state saw a marked improvement today but the number of people who died rose to 77 after a person was reportedly washed away in Hojai.

Currently, a population of 23,118 is still affected by flood in nine districts, according to a report by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA). Some 4,716 people are housed in 19 relief camps.

Chief Secretary VK Pipersenia today apprised a seven-member inter-ministerial central team on the measures taken by the state government to deal with the situation. The central team headed by Home Ministry's Joint Secretary V Shashanka Sekhar arrived in Guwahati today to assess the flood situation and erosion affected areas of the state.

The chief secretary highlighted the need to strengthen the 5,000-km-long embankments, improve road communication and to chalk out a permanent solution, officials said.

Mr Pipersenia also referred to Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal's recent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi where he submitted a memorandum highlighting the flood and erosion situation in the state and sought the centre's intervention for mitigating the situation.

This is the first time that an inter-ministerial central team is visiting Assam in the midst of flood to assess damage, which signifies the urgent follow-up action taken by the centre, sources said.

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