Union Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda on Thursday assured the Centre’s full support for relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in flood-hit Arunachal Pradesh after visiting some of the worst-affected areas of Keyi Panyor district.
During his visit to Possa village and the adjoining North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) colony, Nadda reviewed the damage caused by recent flash floods and landslides and interacted with affected families and local officials.
He said the Central Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stands firmly with the people of Arunachal Pradesh during the crisis and is working closely with the state government to ensure the timely delivery of relief materials, medical assistance and financial support.
“Instructed all concerned departments to intensify ongoing relief, rehabilitation and healthcare efforts to address the needs that may arise in the aftermath of the disaster,” Nadda said in a social media post.
The Union Minister said reconstruction of damaged infrastructure and rehabilitation of affected families would be taken up on priority after a detailed assessment of the losses.
Nadda was accompanied by Urban Affairs Minister Balo Raja, Yachuli MLA Toko Tatung, officials of the Keyi Panyor district administration and panchayat representatives.
The delegation inspected flood-ravaged residential areas, damaged public infrastructure and civic utilities before reviewing relief operations, the functioning of relief camps and plans to restore essential services.
The visit follows widespread devastation caused by heavy monsoon rainfall and localized cloudbursts over the Possa River, which triggered flash floods and landslides in Keyi Panyor district. In the worst-hit Possa area, floodwaters breached a retaining wall and swept away around 15 to 18 residential quarters in the NEEPCO colony near Yazali.
According to the state disaster management department, the floods and landslides have so far claimed eight lives and affected an estimated 1,55,858 people across 28 districts of Arunachal Pradesh.
The disaster has damaged 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.
The agriculture and horticulture sectors have also suffered heavy losses, with crops spread over 1,528.626 hectares affected, including 780.716 hectares under horticulture and 747.91 hectares under agriculture.
