In view of devastating floods affecting Lakhimpur district and nearby areas in Assam, the North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd (NEDFi) with the help of Gramin Mahila Vikash Kendra, a leading NEDFi assisted NGO of the district, organised three camps in three different locations with close association of the district administration. The Deputy Commissioner of the district, Jayanta Nalikar also attended one of the three camps. Bleaching powder, medicines, tarpaulin sheets, chira, gur, clothes were distributed among the inmates of the three camps.

Rattled by the growing anger among the flood-affected people over the relief and rescue operations in East and West Medinipur, chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on Monday directed two ministers

The Karbi Anglong Autonomous District Council donated a sum of Rs. 50 lakh to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund on Saturday to assist flood-affected people of the State, an official release said. Calling on Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi at his office chamber in Dispur, a delegation led by the Chief Executive Member of KAADC Mangal Singh Ingti handed over a cheque of the said amount. Veterinary Minister Kharsingh Ingti and MP Biren Singh Ingty were also present on the occasion. The Chief Minister lauded the gesture of the KAADC delegation

At least 27 people are feared killed and more than 3 lakh people displaced in the northeast, particularly Assam, with the onset of monsoons. Not just the northeast, but large parts of northern Orissa are also under water, with the army and administration on overdrive to evacuate villagers in the flood-hit parts of the states.

Aarti Dhar NEW DELHI: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on "denial' of compensation promised by the Centre after the floods that affected 2.5 crore people last year. The relief work was executed with the State's own resources and it was expected that the Centre would provide assistance in due course. "Since the due assistance is being denied on wrong premises, it does not augur well for a healthy Centre-State relationship,' Mr. Kumar has said.

The first wave of floods has hit the State with devastating consequences. Several embankments were breached and overtopped, and communication snapped on NH-52 in upper Assam. In lower Assam also, cropland and human habitations have been inundated. With the rainy season having just started, indications are that a series of floods could hit the State in the coming months. The recurring menace of flood and erosion constitutes probably the biggest challenge before the State, inflicting extensive damage on agriculture and infrastructure in particular.

LALITESHWAR PRASAD SINGH In two months the monsoon will arrive. And I am reminded of my visit to East Champaran district of Bihar four

: The heavy deluge experienced during the last couple of days which caused flooding and landslides has wreaked havoc in several parts of the country, leaving at least four people dead and more than 50,000 affected. In addition around 8,000 families were reported as displaced by yesterday. Weathermen warned yesterday that there was a risk of more landslides and floods as heavy rains would accompany the onset of Southwest Monsoon, expected to get established over the island within the next two days.

It is very unfortunate that the Government of Assam has not yet been able to rehabilitate all the persons rendered homeless by the devastating floods last year despite making tall promises during the floods. The Government was to pay rehabilitation grant of Rs 25,000 each to the families whose houses were completely damaged in floods and Rs 10,000 each to those whose houses were partially damaged, but till date, most of the affected families have not received the rehabilitation grant and they are forced to make their own arrangements.