The flood situation in Assam has improved slightly, but nearly 1.93 lakh people across five districts remain affected, while two more deaths have pushed this year's flood toll to 82, officials said on Saturday.
According to officials, Sivasagar, Golaghat, Jorhat, Nagaon and Charaideo districts continue to face flooding. Charaideo is the worst-hit district, with 77,456 people affected, followed by Sivasagar (63,492) and Jorhat (34,067). The state government has decided to approach insurance companies and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) to speed up settlement of insurance claims and provide a loan repayment moratorium to . Officials said the government is also carrying out a quick assessment of the damage so that repair funds can be released as early as possible. Two more people died in the floods on Friday, one each in Sivasagar and Charaideo districts, taking the total death toll this year to 82, officials added. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the state cabinet has decided to hold a meeting with private and government insurance companies on August 5 to urge them to settle claims for damaged vehicles, livestock and other insured property without delay. On the same day, the government will also meet NBFCs and ask them to provide a moratorium on loan repayments for borrowers from the four worst-hit districts. The announcement came a day after Sarma chaired a meeting of the State Level Bankers' Committee (SLBC), where it was decided that flood-affected borrowers in Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat would get a six-month moratorium on loan repayments. In a post on social media, Sarma also announced financial assistance for beneficiaries under the PM Surya Ghar scheme. "As floods affect four districts of Assam, our government stands firmly with every affected family. Along with other relief and assistance, we have approved Rs 41.67 crore under the PM Surya Ghar pending state subsidy for 9,289 beneficiaries in the affected areas," he said. Sarma added that the Power Department has been directed to ensure that Assam Power Distribution Corporation Ltd transfers the money directly to beneficiaries' bank accounts by Tuesday.
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