Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Reviews Flood Situation in Arunachal Pradesh, Assures Full Central Support
IBG NEWS | Itanagar/Guwahati | July 1, 2026
Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, has assured comprehensive Central Government assistance to flood-affected families in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam after reaching Itanagar on Monday for an assessment of the ongoing flood crisis.
Although an aerial survey of the affected regions had to be postponed due to adverse weather conditions, the Union Minister interacted directly with local residents and reviewed the situation with senior state officials, reiterating the Centre’s commitment to ensuring that no affected family is left without relief.
Weather Delays Aerial Survey
Persistent bad weather prevented the scheduled helicopter survey of flood-hit areas on Monday. However, Chouhan emphasized that the delay would not affect the government’s response.
“The weather may have grounded the helicopter today, but it cannot stop our determination. We will spend the entire day reviewing the flood-affected areas from the ground and the air to ensure assistance reaches every affected farmer and family,” he said.
Meeting Flood Victims in Itanagar
Upon arriving in Itanagar, the Minister met residents and public representatives from flood-affected areas who narrated the widespread devastation caused by heavy rainfall and floods. Farmers described extensive crop losses, submerged agricultural land, damaged homes and disrupted livelihoods.
Chouhan assured those present that relief and rehabilitation efforts would reach every affected household and that no genuine beneficiary would be overlooked.
Review Meeting with State Officials
The Union Minister later chaired a high-level review meeting at the Itanagar Secretariat with senior officials of the Arunachal Pradesh Government to assess the flood situation.
Discussions focused on:
- Status of flood damage across the state
- Distribution of relief materials
- Ongoing rehabilitation efforts
- Challenges in reaching remote affected areas
- Future relief and reconstruction plans
Chouhan reiterated that the concerns of farmers and rural communities in the Northeast had reached the highest levels of the Central Government and assured full cooperation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Extensive Inspection Planned
On Tuesday, the Minister is scheduled to undertake an extensive inspection of flood-affected regions across Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
The visit will include:
- Ground inspection of flood-hit villages
- Visits to relief camps
- Assessment of agricultural losses
- Review of damage to livestock
- Aerial survey of rivers, embankments, roads, bridges and farmlands
- High-level review meeting in Guwahati with Assam Government officials
Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju and Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu are accompanying Chouhan during the visit.
Focus on Long-Term Flood Management
While emphasizing immediate relief as the government’s top priority, Chouhan also highlighted the need for long-term flood mitigation measures.
He stressed the importance of:
- Strengthening embankments
- Improving drainage infrastructure
- Building safer flood shelters
- Enhancing flood management systems
- Strengthening crop insurance mechanisms
- Increasing resilience of rural communities against recurring floods
Appeal to Citizens
The Union Minister appealed to residents of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam to remain resilient during the crisis, assuring that both the Central and State Governments are working in close coordination to restore normalcy at the earliest.
Describing Arunachal Pradesh as a “beloved state,” Chouhan said the recent natural disaster had caused severe damage to roads, bridges, homes and agricultural land. He noted that crops including oranges, bananas and paddy had suffered extensive destruction.
“We have come here on the directions of the Prime Minister to assess the damage firsthand and ensure every possible assistance from the Central Government. No effort will be spared to help the affected people rebuild their lives,” he said.
Government officials indicated that the findings of the field inspections and aerial survey will help determine further relief measures, rehabilitation packages and long-term infrastructure strengthening initiatives for the flood-affected regions of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
