PATNA, SEPT 16: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday visited flood-affected areas of Bihar as part of a day-long tour to assess relief and rescue operations and review the impact of the floods on farmers.
Accompanied by Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, Chouhan inspected the flood-hit villages of Terasia and Saraipur in Vaishali district, travelling through affected areas by boat and tractor.
During the visit, the Union Minister interacted with local residents and farmers and assessed the extent of crop damage. He is also scheduled to hold discussions with farmers about losses and their immediate concerns.
According to the Bihar Disaster Management Department, around 49.74 lakh people across 15 districts have been affected by the floods. Heavy rainfall in Nepal and Bihar has led to swelling rivers, several of which are flowing above danger levels.
The affected districts include Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, Buxar, Samastipur, Munger, Katihar, Lakhisarai, Khagaria, Purnea, Madhepura and Araria.
Later in the day, Chouhan is scheduled to chair a high-level review meeting with Chief Minister Choudhary and senior state officials to assess ongoing relief and rescue operations and discuss assistance for affected farmers.
As part of his tour, the Union Minister will also visit a flood relief camp at Nawabgarhi in Munger and interact with people taking shelter there.
He is scheduled to travel to Bhagalpur, where he will inspect the Kojikaraiya embankment and visit another relief camp at Bhagalpur Polytechnic College.
Meanwhile, opposition leaders have criticised the Centre's response to the flood situation. RJD MP Manoj Jha questioned the timing of the Union Minister's visit, while Bihar Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav had earlier accused the Centre of not providing adequate assistance to the flood-affected state.
The Union Minister's visit comes as authorities continue relief and rescue operations across the affected districts and assess damage to crops, infrastructure and livelihoods.
