‘No family will be without support’: Chouhan surveys Bihar’s flood-affected areas
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Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan with CM Samrat Choudhary during a visit to Hajipur on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: -
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday visited the flood-hit areas in several districts of Bihar.
Accompanied by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, Bihar Ministers and teams from the Central and State governments, Mr. Chouhan travelled on boats and tractors to reach the affected areas of Hajipur, Vaishali, Munger and Bhagalpur, and conducted an aerial survey to assess the extent of damage and losses suffered by farmers.
He also spoke to a few flood victims.
Speaking to mediapersons after his visit, Mr. Chouhan said the Central government “stands like a rock” with the people of Bihar, and all possible financial and infrastructural assistance would be provided for their safe evacuation. The Central government is “fully sensitive and proactive” regarding the devastating floods caused by the record rise in the levels of the Ganga and other rivers across Bihar, he added.
The Union Minister began by visiting the worst-affected villages of Terasia and Saprapur in Hajipur.
He inspected submerged residential areas and farmlands while travelling on motorboats and traditional boats. He also assessed the situation from a tractor in several hard-to-reach locations.
“Approximately 50 lakh people have been directly affected by this calamity. People have been forced to leave their homes,” said Mr. Chouhan.
He added, “Houses have sustained damage, and livestock has been lost. Farmers’ hard-earned labour being submerged in water is deeply distressing. The government is fully committed to safeguarding their hard work and livelihoods.”
“Officials from the Agriculture and Rural Development Departments are assessing the situation. Shortly, a detailed inter-ministerial central team will be dispatched to Bihar,” said the Union Minister.
He added that the team will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the damage across various districts, with specific assessments of crops, roads, bridges, houses and livestock, following which the Centre will release adequate financial and material assistance, in accordance with the State government’s proposal.
“I assure the people of Bihar on behalf of the Central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, that while the crisis is immense, our resolve and commitment to serve are even greater. We stand with the State government to help it navigate this crisis. No affected family will be left without support,” said Mr. Chouhan. He later held a review meeting at the Chief Minister’s residence in Patna.
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