CM Yogi reviews flood situation, targets SP

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday conducted an aerial survey of flood-affected areas here and distributed relief material to people and handed over land allotment to certificates to families made homeless by the floods.

Addressing a gathering in flood-hit Chitrakoot, Adityanath claimed that the quality of flood relief changed after his Government came to power. Before, they were getting “dry bread,” while, now the Government provides a comprehensive relief package of 50 kg with 26 items.

He alleged that the previous Samajwadi Party government did not pay any attention to the floods and “SP goons” would loot the entire relief amount meant for victims.

“Chitrakoot has faced the tragedy of floods before as well. Before 2017, whenever floods came, the then government did not take notice of the situation. All the money was eaten up by ‘SP goons’. Swallowed the entire thing. The poor, the weak and the deprived got nothing,” Adityanath said.

“If someone raised concern, dry bread was given to them. This was the situation,” the chief minister said.

He was addressing a gathering after an aerial survey of areas affected by the recent flooding of the Mandakini River and inspection of damage in and around Ramghat. The chief minister distributed relief material among 800 flood-affected families and handed over land-allotment certificates to families rendered homeless in the floods, along with financial assistance from the State Disaster Response Fund.

Recalling his visit to flood-hit areas after becoming chief minister in 2017, Adityanath was informed by officials at the time that “dry bread” was being given as relief to the flood-affected people.

“I immediately told the officials: If I give you only dry bread for 10 days, will you be able to survive? If you cannot, why should our people survive on it?” he said.

He said his Government subsequently decided to provide a comprehensive relief kit to every flood-affected family. “Whatever we decided in 2017, we have continued. If a family is affected by floods, whether water remains there for a week or even for a day, that family should receive relief,” he said.

The chief minister said the relief package being distributed contains around 26 items and weighs nearly 50 kg.

“Earlier, people did not even get 1 kg. Today, around 26 items weighing nearly 50 kg are being provided so that the affected people get relief,” he said. Adityanath assured the flood-hit people that the government would stand by them in the hour of crisis.

“Today, I have come with relief material as well as to assure you on behalf of the double-engine BJP government that in this hour of disaster, you are not alone. The government, along with crores of BJP workers, stands with you,” he said.

He said the government would conduct a survey to assess damage to crops and provide relief accordingly.

“Whatever damage has been caused to crops will also be surveyed. Orders have been issued for the survey and relief will be provided accordingly,” he said.

The chief minister also assured people that damaged roads would be repaired. “Whether it is an ordinary family, a trader, a monastery or temple, or a ghat, whatever damage has been caused, the government will make arrangements to provide assistance to all of them,” he said.

He stressed on the need to protect the river’s natural flow. Adityanath said the recent flooding of the Mandakini had highlighted the need to prevent construction and encroachment in the river’s catchment area.

“Whenever we undertake construction work in the catchment area of a river, we have to remember that when the river assumes its natural form, whatever encroachment or construction falls within its course can be swept away along with the river,” he said.

“We have to avoid such construction in the catchment area. Secondly, we have to provide a clear passage for the river’s natural flow,” he added.

The chief minister said water levels naturally vary with seasons and warned that heavy monsoon rainfall coupled with inadequate drainage could result in extensive loss of life and property.

“A river will not always remain the same. In summer and winter, the water level will be low. But during the monsoon, when there is heavy rainfall and the drainage route is inadequate, the water level will rise, potentially causing extensive loss of life and property,” he said.

Invoking Chitrakoot’s association with Lord Ram, the chief minister said the region had provided shelter to him during his exile.

“When Lord Ram was in distress and had to go into exile, Chitrakoot gave him shelter. Today, I assure the people of Chitrakoot, whether they are traders or seers, that the government will stand with everyone who has suffered losses and provide all possible assistance,” he said.

The CM has said that he and other cabinet ministers were visiting flood-affected areas to review the relief and rescue operations and that the government was working towards finding a permanent solution to the problem of floods.