Hyderabad: On Friday, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan conducted an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas in Khammam district, Telangana. He assured farmers that they would receive all possible support from the government.
Chouhan was accompanied by Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay and Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka. Together, they surveyed the damaged areas in Khammam, Paleru, and Madhira, which were flooded due to the overflowing Munneru Rivulet.
After landing near the Paleru main canal, the Deputy Chief Minister showed Chouhan the damage to the Khammam-Suryapet highway caused by a breach in the canal.
Following the survey, Chouhan and Bandi Sanjay attended a meeting with local farmers. Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao and Revenue Minister P. Srinivasa Reddy were also present. During the meeting, farmers shared their struggles, explaining that they had lost everything in the floods. One farmer became emotional while describing his losses, prompting Chouhan to personally console him on stage.
The farmers requested a special relief package to help them recover from the disaster. Chouhan, who is also a farmer, expressed his empathy, saying, “I also do cultivation. I know your pain.” He described the floods as the worst in 100 years and noted that crops like paddy and chilli had suffered 100% damage.
Chouhan assured the farmers that both the Central and state governments would provide the necessary help to overcome the crisis. He criticized the previous state government for allegedly diverting Central funds and failing to properly utilize the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) or implement Central schemes.
“We are not here for politics. We are here to serve the people and help the farmers,” Chouhan emphasized.
He also praised the state government for taking preventive measures that helped minimize the loss of lives. Earlier, Chouhan visited a photo exhibition organized by the state government at Navodaya School, which highlighted the extensive damage caused by the heavy rains and floods earlier in the week. The Deputy Chief Minister briefed Chouhan about the destruction in Khammam, Mahabubabad, and Suryapet districts.
