Patna, Sep 16 (IANS) A high-level review meeting on flood disaster management, relief and damage assessment in Bihar was held at the ‘Sankalp’ Hall of the Chief Minister’s residence in Patna, with Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in attendance.

During the meeting, Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit briefed the Union Minister Chouhan on the overall flood situation in the state.

Senior officials from several departments also presented detailed reports on the relief and rescue operations undertaken, infrastructure damage, agricultural losses and other impacts caused by the floods.

Principal Secretary of the Agriculture Department Narmdeshwar Lal, Rural Works Department Secretary Abhay Kumar Singh, Energy Department Secretary Ajay Yadav, Health Department Secretary Kumar Ravi, Public Health Engineering Department Secretary B. Karthikey Dhanji, Water Resources Department Secretary Chandrashekhar Singh, and Dairy, Fisheries and Animal Resources Department Secretary Shirshat Kapil Ashok briefed the meeting on the situation in their respective sectors.

Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said around 50 lakh people in 88 blocks across 15 districts had been affected by the floods this year.

He added that the state government had remained engaged in relief and rescue operations and had provided food to around 1.62 crore people through more than 1,000 community kitchens.

Basic facilities have also been made available at flood relief camps, the Chief Minister said, adding that the concerned departments had briefed the Union Minister Chouhan and the central team about the relief measures and damage caused by the floods.

Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said a comprehensive assessment of flood-related damage would be completed before Durga Puja, following which a detailed report would be submitted to the Central government.

He also emphasised the need to work towards a permanent solution to Bihar’s recurring flood problem, noting that the state’s geographical location makes it particularly vulnerable to flooding every year.

The Chief Minister thanked Shivraj Singh Chouhan for visiting the flood-affected areas and assessing the situation through aerial surveys and ground inspections.

He also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for sending the Central team to assess the damage.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan praised the Bihar government’s relief efforts and said the state had set an example in flood management.

He appreciated the Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, Deputy Chief Ministers Bijendra Prasad Yadav and Vijay Kumar Chaudhary and officials and personnel from various departments for their prompt response during the crisis.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan said infrastructure and crops had suffered significant damage, particularly banana, maize and paddy crops.

He assured that the Centre would extend maximum possible assistance to Bihar based on the findings of the damage assessment.

He said the Central team would apprise Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of the situation and the state’s requirements.

Union Minister Chouhan also said efforts would be made to provide improved and high-quality seeds for crops such as banana, maize and litchi.

The objective, he said, would be to improve crop yields, increase farmers’ incomes and enhance the potential for agricultural exports.

He also assured that houses damaged by the floods would be considered for reconstruction under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

Assistance would also be extended to ‘Jivika Didis’, members of women’s self-help groups, while farmers would be provided with improved seeds.

During the meeting, officials briefed Union Minister on damage to roads and other infrastructure, agricultural losses, power and health services, drinking-water arrangements, and relief and rescue operations.

The Chief Minister said the state government expected maximum assistance from the Centre after completion of the detailed damage assessment.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav; Agriculture Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha; Disaster Management Minister Ratnesh Sada; Rural Works Minister Sunil Kumar; Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Deepak Kumar; Development Commissioner Mihir Kumar Singh; Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Agriculture Commissioner P.K. Singh; Disaster Management Department Principal Secretary Santosh Kumar Mall; and senior officials from the Agriculture Department.

–IANS

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