Nadda to visit flood-hit Arunachal Pradesh, review relief and rehabilitation measures
Itanagar, Aug 6
Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda is scheduled to visit Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday to assess the flood-affected areas of the state and review the ongoing rehabilitation, relief and healthcare measures being undertaken for those impacted by the disaster.
The Arunachal Pradesh visit marks the third and final leg of Nadda's three-day tour of the flood and landslide-affected northeastern states of Assam, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, where he has been assessing the extent of damage and reviewing relief efforts on the ground.
During his visit, the Union Minister is expected to inspect regions affected by floods, flash floods and cloudbursts. His itinerary is also likely to include visits to relief camps, inspections of damaged infrastructure and interactions with residents who have been affected by the natural calamities.
Earlier on Wednesday, Nadda assured the people of Assam that the Centre would extend all necessary support for relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction work in flood-affected areas, reiterating the Union government's commitment to helping affected families rebuild their lives.
Accompanied by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Union Minister visited the flood-hit Bihubor and Nepali Khuti areas in Sivasagar district, where he reviewed the ground situation and interacted with families impacted by the recent floods.
While addressing local residents during the visit, Nadda said the Central government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stood firmly with the people of Assam and would ensure that relief and rehabilitation work proceeds without any shortage of resources.
He also stated that teams deputed by the Centre were already carrying out detailed assessments of the losses caused by the floods so that rehabilitation and restoration measures could be implemented at the earliest.
The Bihubor and Nepali Khuti areas in Sivasagar district have suffered extensive damage due to the recent flooding, with hundreds of homes damaged, large stretches of agricultural land submerged and significant livestock losses reported.
Later in the day, Nadda travelled to Nagaland, where he was accompanied by the state's Health and Family Welfare Minister Ashok Singhal and Rajya Sabha MP from Nagaland Phangnon Konyak to inspect landslide-affected areas in Mon town.
During the visit, the Union Minister inspected the landslide-hit Defence Colony and adjoining affected areas in Techa Ward. He also met bereaved families and interacted with displaced residents staying at the Konyak Union Office.
Nadda assured the affected families that the Central government stands firmly with the Nagaland government in tackling the ongoing flood and landslide situation. He said the Narendra Modi-led government is working in close coordination with the state administration to ensure that timely relief and every possible assistance reach all affected families.
Heavy rainfall had triggered multiple landslides across Mon district, with Defence Colony and nearby localities emerging among the worst-hit areas. Several residential houses suffered extensive damage, forcing many families to leave their homes. The landslides also disrupted road connectivity at several locations, while power and water supply were temporarily affected in parts of the district.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Every year it's the same story - Assam and Arunachal get devastated by floods and landslides. While visits like this are good PR, what we really need is long-term infrastructure planning, better drainage systems, and climate-resilient housing. A ministerial visit won't stop the Brahmaputra from swelling every monsoon.
Finally some attention to the Northeast! We often complain about the region being neglected, but here's the Union Health Minister personally going to Sivasagar, Mon town, and now Arunachal. This shows the Centre genuinely cares. The PM's commitment to 'Act East' is visible in these actions. 👏
The landslides in Mon district sound terrible - homes destroyed, roads cut off, power and water disrupted. It's good that the minister met with the bereaved families and displaced residents. But I hope this isn't just a photo opportunity. We need clear timelines for compensation and rebuilding, not just vague promises of "all necessary support."
Having covered disaster response in India for years, I can say that ministerial visits do matter, especially for states like Nagaland and Arunachal that don't always get national media attention. The real test will be in the follow-up - whether the assessments translate into tangible funds and work on the ground within the next few months.
It's also worth noting that Nadda is the Health Minister - so his focus on healthcare measures in relief camps is critical. Floods bring waterborne diseases, vector-borne illnesses, and mental health challenges. Ensuring medical teams, medicines, and sanitation reach these areas should be the top priority. Good that he's on it.
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