Sonia makes aerial survey of Assam's flood-hit districts

GUWAHATI: UPA chairman Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday visited the flood-hit districts of Dhemaji and Lakhimpur and made an aerial survey of other affected districts in Assam
along with Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil.
    
Gandhi made an aerial survey of Lakhimpur, Nagaon, Golaghat, Morigaon, Kamrup, Nalbari and Barpeta and met flood-affected people in Dhemaji.
    
She also reviewed the flood situation with Patil, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and senior officials.
    
Gandhi expressed satisfaction at the measures taken by the Assam government to provide relief to the affected people. She assured Gogoi that the Centre would provide all possible help to tide over the crisis.
    
Gandhi, who visited the state for three hours, arrived at Lilabari airport in Lakhimpur district and flew to Dhemaji in an Indian Air Force helicopter.
    
About 500 people living in relief camps were brought by the district authorities to meet Gandhi, who stayed with them for more than half an hour. The people highlighted the
problems being faced by them.
    
Gandhi directed Gogoi to ensure that the district authorities provide relief to the affected people for the whole year and to take steps to immediately repair damaged
roads in the area.