Sarbananda Sonowal said ministers have been deputed to personally take charge of the rescue work.
Assam's new Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday defended the centre's role in helping the state during its ongoing flood crisis, shifting blame instead on the previous government.
"The PM and Home Minister have been in touch with us since the beginning. They have been reviewing the situation on a day to day basis. It's not that they are not paying attention to our problem. They have assured us that whatever help is required will be given," he told NDTV.
"We know what happened previously in the state and how people suffered. Our government realised now is the time to help the people," he said, adding that the damage appeared to be greater because river embankments had not been maintained well.
He said legislators and minister had been deputed to personally take charge of the rescue and relief work. "First time in the history of the state Assembly, it has been suspended so that we can be with the people at this time," he said.
Trying to counter opposition criticism of him as an inexperienced administrator, Mr Sonowal has adopted a more hands on approach. He is also taking a tough stand against dereliction of duty and has suspended five government officers this week.
"We are concentrating on making the embankments strong so that they can resist erosion and protect people. We have 5000 km length of embankments which have not been repaired properly. We will strengthen the embankments and make it capable of resisting erosion. We have approached the World Bank and Asian Development Bank to help with money and technology," he said.
At least 16 people have died and 19 lakh affected in devastating floods that have hit Assam following the rains this year.