Central Government Promises Support for Flood-Affected Arunachal Pradesh

Government Response to Flood Crisis in Arunachal Pradesh

Guwahati/New Delhi, July 2: On Wednesday, the Central Government pledged to provide comprehensive support for relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts in Arunachal Pradesh, which has been severely impacted by flooding. Union Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that a thorough report would be prepared for Prime Minister Narendra Modi after assessing the damage in both Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.

During a press briefing following his review of the flood situation, Chouhan highlighted the extensive destruction caused by flash floods and landslides, which have devastated homes, crops, roads, and essential infrastructure.

"The floods have affected residents in both Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, and the situation is dire. Relief efforts are currently underway in Arunachal, but the damage is extensive. The Central Government is committed to providing all necessary assistance to those impacted," he stated.

Chouhan mentioned that a Central team has been evaluating the situation in Arunachal Pradesh since Tuesday and will continue its assessment before moving on to Assam, where numerous districts have also faced severe flooding.

"After our review, we will convene a meeting to present our findings to the Prime Minister. We have engaged with the local communities and witnessed the scale of the devastation. The losses are substantial," he added.

The minister indicated that a detailed meeting would be held with Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and senior officials to evaluate the overall damage and prepare a comprehensive report for further assistance.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who joined Chouhan during the assessment, noted that unprecedented rainfall has caused significant destruction in both states.

"This season, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam experienced exceptionally heavy rainfall, exceeding 200 mm in a short period. We are nearing the completion of our assessment in Arunachal and will soon head to Assam. Roads, electricity networks, and water supply systems have suffered severe damage. The Central Government will ensure all necessary support, and a detailed report will be submitted to the Union Home Ministry," Rijiju remarked.

He added that immediate relief operations are being conducted collaboratively by the Central and state governments through the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), while district administrations are undertaking a thorough assessment of damage to homes, agricultural land, and other properties.

"Given the potential for further rainfall, we must remain fully prepared," he cautioned.

On Tuesday, Chouhan and Rijiju, along with Chief Minister Pema Khandu, conducted both aerial and ground surveys of the severely affected Keyi Panyor district, one of the hardest-hit areas in the state.

According to the State Emergency Operation Centre, four fatalities have been reported, 21 individuals have sustained injuries, and two people are still unaccounted for following the heavy rainfall that triggered flash floods and landslides across Arunachal Pradesh over the past week.

In addition to Keyi Panyor, districts such as Papum Pare, Kra Daadi, Kurung Kumey, Lower Subansiri, Kamle, Upper Subansiri, East Siang, Leparada, Lower Siang, Lower Dibang Valley, and Anjaw have also experienced widespread damage.

This visit followed a conversation between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Pema Khandu, where Shah reviewed the flood situation and assured all possible support from the Central Government.

With inputs from agencies