Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has assured comprehensive support from the Centre to flood-affected communities in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, stating that relief, rehabilitation and long-term recovery efforts will be carried out with urgency despite weather-related challenges that delayed his inspection.
Chouhan, who arrived in Arunachal Pradesh on Monday, was unable to undertake the planned aerial survey due to adverse weather conditions. However, he emphasized that the delay would not affect the government’s commitment to assessing the damage and extending assistance to affected families. The Union Minister announced that he would spend the entire day on Tuesday conducting both ground visits and aerial inspections across the flood-hit regions of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
The inspection will be accompanied by Union Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu. The visit is aimed at evaluating the impact of floods on agriculture, infrastructure and livelihoods while identifying immediate relief requirements and long-term rehabilitation measures.
Addressing local residents after arriving in Itanagar, Chouhan said that while bad weather had grounded the helicopter, it had not weakened the government’s resolve to help those affected.
“The weather may have prevented today’s aerial survey, but it cannot stop our determination. We will undertake a comprehensive assessment from both the ground and the air to ensure that every affected farmer and every affected family receives the support they deserve,” he said.
During his interaction with residents and public representatives from flood-affected areas, several people described the devastation caused by incessant rainfall and overflowing rivers. They spoke about submerged agricultural fields, destroyed standing crops, damaged homes and severe disruptions to their livelihoods.
The Minister assured the affected families that the Central Government would ensure no genuine beneficiary was left out of relief and rehabilitation efforts. He reiterated that all possible assistance would be extended to those who had suffered losses.
Later, Chouhan chaired a high-level review meeting at the Arunachal Pradesh Secretariat in Itanagar with senior state government officials. The meeting focused on the current flood situation, the availability and distribution of relief materials, rehabilitation initiatives and challenges faced in reaching remote and affected communities.
Officials briefed the Minister on the extent of damage caused by floods and landslides, the progress of rescue and relief operations, and the steps being taken to restore normalcy. Chouhan assured the state administration that the concerns of farmers and rural communities in the Northeast had been conveyed to the highest levels of the Central Government.
He said the Centre, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, remained committed to extending every possible support for relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation.
On Tuesday, the Minister is scheduled to visit flood-affected villages and relief camps in Arunachal Pradesh, where he will interact directly with residents and assess the damage to agricultural land, standing crops and livestock. He will also review the impact of the disaster on rural livelihoods before undertaking an aerial survey covering affected areas in both Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
The aerial inspection will help authorities evaluate damage to rivers, embankments, roads, bridges and farmlands, enabling the government to formulate a comprehensive response.
In the evening, Chouhan will travel to Guwahati to chair a review meeting with senior Assam government officials. Discussions will focus on flood management, relief distribution, restoration of damaged infrastructure, repair of embankments and roads, and financial assistance for affected farmers.
Highlighting the need for long-term preparedness, the Minister said flood management should not be limited to immediate relief efforts. He called for stronger embankments, improved drainage systems, safer shelters, modern flood-management infrastructure and a more effective crop insurance mechanism to reduce future losses and strengthen the resilience of rural communities.
Appealing to residents of the affected states to remain resilient, Chouhan said the Central and state governments would continue to work in close coordination to restore normal life as quickly as possible.
Speaking to the media, he described Arunachal Pradesh as a “beloved state” currently facing a severe natural disaster. Heavy rains and landslides, he noted, had damaged roads, bridges and homes while devastating crops, including oranges, bananas and paddy.
He said the visit had been undertaken on the directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure an accurate assessment of the damage and to facilitate timely assistance, adding that the government would leave no stone unturned in helping affected families rebuild their lives.
Author: Shivam
Shivam Dwivedi is a senior journalist with extensive experience in research-driven journalism, policy communication, and multi-platform storytelling. His areas of interest include international relations, defence, science & technology, education, urban development, agriculture, spirituality, and environmental sustainability. His work focuses on in-depth analysis, public discourse, and impactful narratives across governance and development sectors, with a strong commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Contact: [email protected]
