At least 23 people have died in storms and lightning strikesin the past few weeks in Assam, as it has taken more lives in the Cyclone Phoniin Orissa, the Assam Government source said.
According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority(ASDMA) storms and lightning have also affected around 22,801 families in 18districts of the state in the current year.
The worst-hit districts are Golaghat, Sivasagar, Dhubri,Sontipur and Cachar. While ten persons died in the storms, 13 persons have diedafter being struck by lightning, the ASDMA said.
As a precautionary measures, the state government hasdirected all the deputy commissioners (DCs) to release ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakhto the next of kin of each of the deceased persons within 48 hours.
The DCs of the storm-affected districts have also beendirected to take immediate steps for assessing the loss of property.
The norms stipulate that rehabilitation grant should bereleased for pucca or kutcha houses at the rate of Rs 95,100 in the plains andRs 1,01,900 in the hilly areas.
For each of the partially damaged pucca houses therehabilitation grant should be released at the rate of Rs 5,200, while for eachof the partially damaged kutcha houses it should be at the rate of Rs 3,200.
