Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has announced an ad-hoc package of 500 crore rupees to flood affected Assam. Addressing a press conference in Guwahati after an aerial survey of flood hit areas in Jorhat, Lakhimpur and Dhemaji districts yesterday, the Prime Minister said that a Central team has already reached Assam to assess the damage caused by floods and based on their reports the Central government will decide on the exact amount for the financial package. He also announced an ex-gratia of 1 lakh rupees to the next-of-kin of the deceased. Prime Minister expressed satisfaction on the relief and rescue operations being carried out by the National Disaster Response Force, Army and Air Force in the flood affected areas. Dr. Singh also said that once relief and rescue operations are over, focus will be shifted to restoration of the damaged infrastructure.

UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi also took stock of the flood situation with the Prime Minister. AIR correspondent says that terming the floods as one of the worst in recent times, Dr. Singh said that Central government are working closely with the state government to provide relief works. The Prime Minister said that the government will pay adequate attention through medium and long term problems of flood control, control of erosion and related problems. So far 81 people have died in flood and landslides. Assam Chief Minister urged the Prime Minister to release 11 thousand 316 crore rupees as immediate and medium term assistance to the flood affected state. Out of the total amount,20 crore rupees are required for the restoration of parks and Sanctuaries. The recent flood wave damaged two World Heritage Sites, Kaziranga and Manas National parks.