CM Yogi visits flood affected areas in Kushinagar, distributes relief materials among flood affected people

Kushinagar : Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Sunday, said that the state government is committed to the safety of its citizens in times of disaster, adding that it is working 24×7 to help the flood victims.

The Chief Minister visited the flood affected areas in Kushinagar. He said, “Over the past seven years, significant efforts have been made to protect the districts from the floods of the Narayani and Gandak rivers. With approximately Rs 600 crore invested in various flood prevention measures, 1,16,000 people in 83 villages and 20,000 hectares of agricultural land have been safeguarded.”

The Chief Minister has also instructed the District Magistrate to initiate a survey for the construction of a concrete bridge over the Narayani river. The bridge will benefit 20,000 residents on the other side of the river. He said that as soon as the floodwaters recede, the survey should be conducted promptly to determine the best location for the bridge, and the findings should be reported to the government for quick action.

The Chief Minister also met the flood affected people in Gram Sabha Turkha and distributed relief material. Earlier, he inspected the Bhainsaha-Chhitauni embankment. During this, he distributed certificates to the beneficiaries of various schemes and tablets among the students. Along with this, the Annaprashan Sanskar of the children was also completed.

CM Yogi highlighted timely flood prevention measures over the past seven years for significantly reducing the loss of life and property. These efforts have been particularly impactful in Kushinagar, where approximately 3 lakh people have been saved from devastating floods, he stated. He emphasized that these measures have not only secured Kushinagar but have also contributed to flood prevention in other districts across the state.

“Kushinagar, located at the foothills of the Himalayas, faces rapid river currents, yet substantial relief efforts have brought stability to the region,” he said. Reflecting on the past, he recalled that seven years ago, the area was plagued by mafia dominance, resulting in violence and fear. The Chittauni embankment was a dangerous zone, where people avoided traveling after sunset. Today, the region has seen the end of terror, anarchy, and hooliganism, marking a significant transformation, he remarked.

“As the site of Mahatma Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana, Kushinagar holds global significance as a land of peace. The government is making continuous efforts to establish it as a center of global faith. Health initiatives have led to the complete eradication of encephalitis, which once affected the children in the region,” Yogi added.

He highlighted that a medical college and a new agricultural university are being established to provide modern agricultural technology and education to the local population. An international airport has also been constructed, enhancing connectivity and development. the roads in Kushinagar have drastically improved. Once difficult to distinguish from pits, the roads are now well-developed, reflecting the overall advancement in the area.

Highlighting the effective flood prevention work in the district. CM Yogi said that during the heavy rains in Nepal from July 7 to 9, approximately 4.5 lakh cusecs of water were released into the Gandak and Narayani rivers, far exceeding the usual 12 to 20 thousand cusecs. Despite this surge, the embankments here remained intact.

Addressing concerns of the public representatives about the villages across the Narayani river, the CM emphasized the need for a concrete bridge to serve the 15-20 thousand people residing there. He directed District Magistrate Umesh Mishra to identify the optimal location for the bridge using PM Gati-Shakti and to commence survey work post-monsoon. Additionally, he urged the acceleration of work on the Chittauni-Bhainsaha embankment pitch to improve accessibility.

The Chief Minister expressed the government’s commitment to sharing in the joy of its citizens while ensuring they do not suffer in times of disaster. He reassured that the government is proactive in implementing timely measures and is prepared to take effective steps during crises. Special attention has been given to the Musahar community residing here, with provisions including land leases, housing, ration cards, Ayushman cards, and pensions for the elderly, destitute women, and Divyangjans.

He said that the government is available 24/7 to ensure the safety and assistance of every flood-affected person, reinforcing the administration’s dedication to solving all problems faced by the people.

On this occasion, State Minister Swatantradev Singh, MP Vijay Kumar Dubey, MLAs Vivekanand Pandey, Vinay Gaur, Manish Jaiswal, Mohan Verma, Surendra Kushwaha, Asim Rai, District Panchayat President Savitri Jaiswal, BJP District President Durgesh Rai, Rajeshwar Singh and other dignitaries were present.