Guwahati/Itanagar: Union agriculture and farmers’ welfare minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday conducted extensive aerial and ground surveys of flood- and landslide-hit areas in Arunachal Pradesh and bordering Assam along with Union minister Kiren Rijiju to assess the extent of the damage. After inspecting affected areas in Arunachal Pradesh accompanied by CM Pema Khandu, Chouhan also visited neighbouring Assam’s Dhemaji district with Rijiju to review the flood situation.During the visit, the Union minister met flood-affected families, interacted with them and assured them of full support. He said both the Centre and the state govts stand firmly with the people of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Addressing the media in Guwahati later, Chouhan said, “Damage is huge. Bridges and roads were damaged, electric poles and water supply lines collapsed. Crops are damaged, animals have been lost and houses and properties damaged. There will be a full assessment of this damage,” adding that an interim damage report would be submitted to the Prime Minister. He said the Govt of India stands firmly with the people of both states and would leave no stone unturned in providing relief.He said the Arunachal Pradesh CM has already submitted a preliminary report, while a detailed damage assessment will be sent to the Centre after completion. He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Home Minister would be fully apprised of the situation and expressed confidence that coordinated efforts would restore normalcy quickly while pursuing scientific, long-term measures to better manage such disasters.Earlier, Chouhan, Rijiju and Khandu carried out a ground assessment at Boying village in East Siang district after the Sibo Korong River overflowed, reviewing damage to public infrastructure, farmland and private property and interacting with residents. Rijiju said the flooding was caused by extremely heavy rainfall, with several places recording more than 200 mm in a single night. Khandu said the immediate priority is public safety, timely relief and restoring damaged infrastructure.Chouhan also conducted an aerial survey of flood-hit areas including flash flood-affected Keyi Panyor district, before travelling by road to disaster-hit villages. Announcing a comprehensive damage assessment, he said, “New houses would be constructed for families whose homes werewashed away, while losses to agricultural fields, damaged crops and livestock would also be assessed to ensure appropriate compensation,” adding that food grains and essentials were already being provided.Chouhan said relief in Assam is continuing through SDRF funds, with NDRF assistance to follow. “A short-term planning is required … while a long-term planning is also required since lots of time is still left in this rainy season,” he said, noting El Niño could trigger erratic rainfall. “Scientists are saying that almost 12 districts of Assam will be impacted by El Nino conditions. We have also discussed this,” he added. He said officials are examining improved paddy seed varieties and added, “Guided by the Prime Minister, the Central Govt will extend every possible assistance to restore normalcy in the affected areas at the earliest.”
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