ITANAGAR — Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, arrived in Arunachal Pradesh to lead a high-level assessment of the devastating flood crisis gripping the northeastern states. Accompanied by Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju and Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Pema Khandu, Chouhan committed the full support of the Central Government toward immediate relief and long-term rehabilitation.
While an initial aerial survey on Monday was deferred due to severe weather and low visibility, the Union Minister stated that the administration’s resolve remained unshakeable. On July 1, Chouhan launched an extensive ground and aerial inspection across the worst-hit zones of both Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
Direct Public Grievance Interaction
Upon reaching Itanagar, Minister Chouhan interacted directly with local residents and public representatives to hear firsthand accounts of the damage. Displaced families narrated the extensive destruction of their livelihoods, detailing how flash floods and landslides have submerged massive agricultural stretches, damaged residential structures, and wiped out critical cash crops.
Speaking on the scale of agricultural damage, Chouhan noted to the media that horticultural and food crops—including paddy, oranges, and bananas—have faced near-total destruction, dealing a severe economic blow to regional farmers.
“The weather may have grounded our helicopter on day one, but it cannot stop our determination,” Chouhan stated. “We will not rest until government assistance reaches every single affected family.”
Review of Relief Operations & Long-Term Strategy
The Union Minister chaired a high-level review meeting at the Itanagar Secretariat alongside senior state officials to map out distribution logs for emergency relief materials, financial packages, and medical aid.
While emphasizing immediate rescue and rehabilitation as the apex priority, Chouhan highlighted that the Ministry is designing long-term structural safeguards under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The proposed strategic interventions include:
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Infrastructure Reinforcement: Rebuilding and strengthening vulnerable river embankments, arterial roads, and damaged bridges.
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Flood Management Systems: Installing modernized drainage networks and constructing elevated, safer community shelters.
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Financial Risk Mitigation: Streamlining and expanding a more effective crop insurance mechanism to buffer farmers against future climate shocks.
Assam Component of the Tour
Following his extensive field inspections across Arunachal Pradesh villages and relief camps, Chouhan is scheduled to travel to Guwahati later this evening. He will chair a parallel flood-management review meeting with senior officials of the Government of Assam to streamline inter-state disaster response, embankment repairs, and emergency crop-compensation disbursements.
