The Union Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has sent its minister to Bihar to assess the damage from recent severe flooding. Shivraj Singh Chouhan visited flood-affected areas on instructions from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit comes as water levels in several districts have risen sharply, affecting millions of people and destroying crops across the state.
The Scale and Immediate Response
Water levels in affected areas have risen nearly one foot higher than the historic 2016 floods. Close to 50 lakh people have been directly impacted. The Ganga and other rivers have experienced record or near-record rises in water levels. Banana and maize crops have suffered severe damage after being submerged for more than 10 days. Many families have lost homes and livestock.
The Union Minister visited multiple locations including villages in Hajipur and Vaishali, relief camps in Munger and Bhagalpur, and embankments in the affected areas. He used boats, tractors and helicopters to reach difficult locations and assess the situation on the ground, accompanied by Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and state officials.
The Bihar state government has already begun distributing Rs 7,000 per affected family through direct bank transfer. Medical teams are being deployed by boat to provide healthcare and medicines. Relief camps are providing shelter, drinking water, dry rations and cooked meals to displaced families.
Central Government Support
Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Ministry of Rural Development are currently conducting a preliminary damage assessment. An Inter-Ministerial Central Team will be sent to Bihar for detailed evaluation of losses across affected districts, including damage to crops, roads, bridges, houses and livestock. Once the state government submits its proposal under the National Disaster Response Fund, the Centre has committed to providing financial and material assistance without delay.
What This Means for You
If you are a farmer or resident in flood-affected areas of Bihar, you may receive compensation for crop losses and house damage once the central team completes its assessment and funds are released. Immediate relief of Rs 7,000 per family is already being distributed. Medical services and basic supplies are being provided through relief camps. The state and central governments have committed to supporting reconstruction and restoring damaged infrastructure in your locality.