Assam govt tells Delhi to seek China data

Guwahati: The Assam government on Wednesday asked New Delhi to persuade Beijing to share hydrological data to ascertain the cause of the third wave of floods, which devastated the state from August 5.

Pointing out that the region recorded very less rainfall during the period of the third wave of flood that hit the state but the magnitude of the flood was very high, Assam finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told reporters that hydrological data on Brahmaputra might help the state in ascertaining the actual cause of floods.

Under a 2006 agreement, China shares hydrological data, from May 15 to October 15, for Brahmaputra and Sutlej rivers, every year. However, China has not shared hydrological data with India during the current monsoon season.

Regretting that neighbouring Bangladesh was still reeling under the impact of floods, Mr Sarma admitted that state government had very limited role in getting this data but it would continue to take up this issue with the central government.

Asking various pressure groups also to voice their concern against China, Mr Sarma said that opinion of the experts at the national level was very alarming. “I have gone through many write ups on China which has constructed a large number of dams on the upper reaches of Brahmaputra. Though, these opinions of experts are not conclusive but has drawn our attention towards a threat in making,” said Mr Sarma adding that third wave of flood had surprised many as there was no such rain which may have caused flood but suddenly water level of Brahmaputra started surging inundating a vast area of 24 districts of the state.

Mr Sarma who is also the health minister on Wednesday announced that they have got a sanction of Rs. 220 crore for setting up another medical college at Nalbari. He said that his government has the target of setting up 14 medical colleges in the state out of which six are already functioning while four others would come into existence very soon.