Union Minister Assures Support for Flood Relief in Arunachal Pradesh

Government's Commitment to Flood-Affected Areas

Itanagar, Aug 6: JP Nadda, the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, visited Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday to extend the Centre's full support for relief and rehabilitation efforts in areas affected by recent floods. His visit included a review of the damage in Keyi Panyor district, which has been severely impacted by flash floods and landslides.

While touring Possa village and the nearby North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) colony, Nadda emphasized that the government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, is committed to assisting the state's residents during this challenging time, as reported by officials.

He noted that the Centre is actively monitoring the flood situation in the Northeast and is collaborating with the Arunachal Pradesh government to ensure that relief materials, medical aid, and financial assistance reach the affected families promptly.

"I have directed all relevant departments to enhance their ongoing relief, rehabilitation, and healthcare initiatives to meet the needs arising from this disaster," Nadda shared on social media.

The Minister highlighted that the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure and the rehabilitation of affected families will be prioritized following a thorough assessment of the losses incurred.

Nadda was joined by state Urban Affairs Minister Balo Raja, Yachuli MLA Toko Tatung, district administration officials, and panchayat representatives during his visit.

The team examined the flood-impacted residential areas, public infrastructure, and civic utilities, while also engaging with affected families and local officials to determine immediate needs, including healthcare and emergency support.

Additionally, Nadda assessed the ongoing relief operations, the status of relief camps, and the state's strategies for restoring essential infrastructure and rebuilding damaged homes and public facilities.

This visit comes in the wake of significant destruction caused by heavy monsoon rains and localized cloudbursts over the Possa River in Keyi Panyor district, which led to flash floods and landslides.

The disaster has had a devastating impact on the Possa area, where floodwaters breached a retaining wall, resulting in the loss of approximately 15 to 18 residential units in the NEEPCO colony near Yazali.

So far, the floods and landslides have claimed eight lives across Arunachal Pradesh, affecting around 155,858 individuals in 28 districts.

As per the state disaster management department, the calamity has caused damage to 235 roads, 40 bridges, 75 culverts, 373 water supply systems, 161 power lines, 823 electricity poles, 66 irrigation projects, 122 government buildings, 41 schools, 12 hydropower projects, 26 retaining walls, and 16 flood protection walls, among other public infrastructure.

The agriculture and horticulture sectors have also faced severe losses, with crops over 1,528.626 hectares impacted, including 780.716 hectares of horticulture and 747.91 hectares of agriculture, according to the report.