Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan arrived in Arunachal Pradesh on Tuesday, 30 June to personally assess the damage wrought by devastating floods, assuring that the Centre would extend all necessary support for relief, rescue, and rehabilitation across the affected Northeastern states. The visit, carried out on the directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, signals the Union government's intent to treat the crisis as a national priority.

Ground Assessment and Official Meetings

Upon landing in Itanagar, Chouhan met directly with residents from flood-hit areas, listening to accounts of submerged farmlands, destroyed crops, and damaged homes. He was joined by Union Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu as the delegation toured several affected localities. At the Itanagar Secretariat, Chouhan held a detailed review meeting with senior state officials, covering the current flood situation, relief supply chains, and rehabilitation timelines.

Aerial Survey Delayed by Bad Weather

An aerial survey planned for Tuesday had to be called off due to inclement weather, which grounded the helicopter. Chouhan indicated this would not affect the overall assessment plan. On Wednesday, 1 July, he is scheduled to conduct a full-day tour — combining ground visits and an aerial survey by helicopter — across flood-affected regions of both Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. The survey will cover the condition of rivers, embankments, roads, crop fields, and livestock.

Crop and Infrastructure Damage

Speaking to the media, Chouhan described the scale of destruction as severe. Crops including oranges, bananas, and paddy had been completely wiped out in several areas. Heavy rains and landslides had damaged roads, bridges, and numerous homes, causing significant loss of life and property. He confirmed that the concerns of farmers and villagers in the Northeast had been communicated directly to Delhi, and that the Central Government was prepared to act.

'Minister Kiren Rijiju and I have come to visit the affected areas alongside the Chief Minister, following the Prime Minister's instructions. We will conduct a detailed assessment of the damage and ensure all possible assistance from the Central Government,' Chouhan said.

Long-Term Flood Mitigation on the Agenda

Beyond immediate relief, Chouhan stressed the need to plan for future flood resilience. He called for structural improvements including better drainage systems, more robust embankments, safe shelters, and stronger crop insurance mechanisms. In the evening, he was scheduled to meet senior Assam government officials in Guwahati to discuss flood management, embankment repairs, relief distribution, and financial assistance for farmers. Chouhan urged affected communities in both states to remain resilient, assuring that the Centre and state governments would work in coordination to help them through the crisis.