Union Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan today visited flood-affected areas of Bihar on the directions of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and took stock of the situation on the ground. Accompanied by Bihar Chief Minister Shri Samrat Choudhary, state ministers and senior officials from the Centre and the state government, Shri Chouhan conducted an extensive review of the flood situation in Hajipur, Vaishali, Munger and Bhagalpur. He travelled by motorboat, country boat and tractor to reach affected villages and agricultural fields and also conducted an aerial assessment of the situation. Interacting with flood-affected families, he assured them that the Central Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, stands firmly with the people of Bihar and will provide all possible financial and infrastructure support to help the state overcome the crisis.
Central Government Closely Monitoring Flood Situation
The Centre is closely monitoring the flood situation in Bihar following a sharp and, in several areas, record rise in the water levels of the Ganga and other rivers. On the Prime Minister’s directions, Shri Chouhan reached Bihar on Tuesday along with a high-level central team comprising senior officials and technical experts from the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Ministry of Rural Development and various central institutions. After reaching Patna, he began the field assessment along with Chief Minister Shri Samrat Choudhary, members of the state Cabinet and senior administrative officials.
Chouhan Visits Flooded Villages Fields and Relief Camps
In Hajipur, Vaishali, Shri Chouhan visited the worst-affected villages of Terasia and Saraipur, where he travelled by motorboat and country boat to inspect inundated residential areas and agricultural fields. At several difficult-to-reach locations, he travelled by tractor to assess the situation. He also reviewed the extent of flooding and water levels from the Raghopur Six-Lane Bridge. In Munger, the Union Minister inspected the Nawagarhi relief camp and the Kojikaraiya embankment and reviewed arrangements for safety and water drainage. In Bhagalpur, he visited relief camps and interacted with flood-affected people who had taken shelter there.
Water Level Nearly One Foot Higher Than 2016 Floods
After the field visits, Shri Chouhan told the media that, according to information shared by the Chief Minister and local residents, water levels in the affected areas have risen nearly one foot above the levels recorded during the historic floods of 2016. He said banana and maize crops have been severely damaged after remaining submerged for more than 10 days. Nearly 50 lakh people have been directly affected by the floods. Many families have been forced to leave their homes, houses have been damaged and livestock has also been lost. “Seeing farmers’ crops, on which they have invested their hard work and livelihood, submerged in floodwater is deeply painful. But farmers need not lose heart. The government is fully committed to protecting their livelihoods and supporting them through this difficult time,” Shri Chouhan said.
State Government’s Relief and Rescue Efforts Reviewed
Shri Chouhan appreciated the state government’s response to the situation and said that the administration, under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Samrat Choudhary, is working round the clock on relief and rescue operations. As part of immediate assistance, the state government has begun transferring Rs 7,000 directly into the bank accounts of each affected family through DBT. The process is being carried out on a war footing. Doctors and paramedical teams are being sent by boat to flood-affected areas to provide medical assistance and medicines to people in their homes and at relief camps. Arrangements have also been made for safe shelter, clean drinking water, dry rations and cooked food packets for affected families.
Central Team to Undertake Detailed Damage Assessment
Shri Chouhan said that while the state government is providing immediate assistance through its State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and available resources, the Central Government will extend all necessary support for relief, recovery and reconstruction. Officials from the Agriculture and Rural Development departments are conducting a preliminary assessment of the situation. A detailed Inter-Ministerial Central Team will subsequently be sent to Bihar to assess the extent of damage. The team will assess losses across affected districts, particularly damage to agricultural crops, roads, bridges, houses and livestock. Shri Chouhan said that once the state government submits the required proposal under the National Disaster Response Fund, the Centre will provide adequate financial and material assistance without delay.
No Affected Family Will Be Left Helpless
Reassuring flood-affected families, Shri Chouhan said that the Centre and the Prime Minister stand firmly with the people of Bihar. “I assure the people of Bihar, on behalf of the Central Government and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, that although the crisis is serious, our resolve to serve the people is stronger. We will stand shoulder to shoulder with the state government in helping Bihar overcome this crisis. No affected family will be left helpless,” he said.
High-Level Review Meeting at Chief Minister’s Residence
After the day-long visit to flood-affected areas, embankments and relief camps across the state, Shri Chouhan will chair a high-level review meeting at 6 PM today at the Chief Minister’s residence on Anne Marg. Senior officials from the concerned departments of the Central and state governments will attend the meeting. The review will cover the distribution of relief material, healthcare services, the plan for crop compensation and restoration of damaged infrastructure. Necessary directions will be issued accordingly.