Jorhat, Aug 7: As relief items pour into the flood-ravaged districts of Sivasagar, Charaideo, and Jorhat following the July 19 catastrophe, a youth group led by a local social worker and a businessman from Jorhat is helping victims restore their homes with free services. Kamaleswor Kutum, a resident of Jhanjimukh on the Bank of the river Brahmaputra – A flood-prone area – is leading a group of about 120 young people, including over 50 girls, to flood-hit areas almost every day since July 24 to households that suffered heavy damage from silt and mud deposits, which pose a major cleanup challenge. Kutum, an entrepreneur involved in piggery, fishery, and duck farming, as well as local green conservation efforts, told The Assam Tribune that he felt it was a moral obligation for those not affected by floods to act during this hour of crisis to help people whose lives have been shattered. Responding to a massive flow of requests from the Sivasagar and Charaideo districts, Kutum has been mobilising volunteer teams almost daily to conduct cleaning drives. He transports the teams on a rotational basis in his two personal vehicles, carrying various tools and equipment while personally covering all fuel and food costs. He said that so far over 80 houses and buildings, including places of worship and educational institutions, have been cleaned up by him and the youths, who are coming forward to participate in this Good Samaritan venture. Highlighting the severe scale of the damage, Kutum explained that volunteers faced immense difficulties in clearing thick layers of sludge from walls and floors, even while utilising high-pressure washer pumps, hoses, and shovels. The teams have also deployed electric drilling machines during restoration activities to effectively drain stagnant water from the affected houses. Furthermore, because several team members are skilled plumbers and electricians, they have been actively repairing damaged power connections and water supply systems. While the majority of the restoration work has targeted the Sivasagar and Charaideo districts, Kutum stated that volunteers also extended their services to heavily damaged houses under the Teok revenue circle in Jorhat district. Affirming that the drives will continue for several more days as required, Kutum emphasised that the silver lining of this calamity has been the overwhelming generosity of people across the State and the country.