PM makes aerial visit of flood-hit Assam

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday left for an aerial survey of the four flood-affected districts of Assam, after his arrival in Guwahati on a day's visit.

The prime minister and his entourage left in three helicopters to review the flood situation in Nalbari, Barpeta, Kamrup and Darrang districts.

Singh was accompanied by state Health Minister Dr Bhumidhar Barman, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge)
for Heavy Industries Santosh Mohan Dev and Union Minister of State for Defence Bijoy Krishna Handique.

Also Read Brahmaputra rises above danger level

After his return from the aerial survey, Singh, accompanied by a high-level delegation of experts, was scheduled to hold meetings with Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, his Cabinet colleagues and senior government officials at the Gopinath Bordoloi International airport.

Gogoi, who was expected to accompany the prime minister during the aerial surey, was unable to do so as he is indisposed.

Singh was earlier received at the airport by Assam's Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Ajai Singh, Gogoi and his senior Cabinet colleagues.

The prime minister was also scheduled to meet representatives of different political parties and organisations and address the media before his return to New Delhi in the afternoon.

This is Singh's first visit to Assam, which he represents in the Rajya Sabha, after becoming the prime minister.