PM Modi’s Visit to Flood-Affected States
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday visited Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, two states reeling from the devastating effects of heavy monsoon rains, floods, and landslides. The Prime Minister conducted aerial surveys of the worst-hit regions, held review meetings with state officials, and personally met affected families to convey condolences and assurances of support.
Announcing a financial relief package worth ₹3,100 crore, PM Modi sanctioned ₹1,500 crore for Himachal Pradesh and ₹1,600 crore for Punjab. He assured that the Centre would stand firmly with the affected states during this crisis and extend all possible assistance for recovery and rebuilding.
Massive Destruction in Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh has been one of the worst-hit states this monsoon, suffering widespread damage from cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides. According to state officials, the disaster has resulted in economic losses exceeding ₹4,100 crore. Between June 20 and September 8, at least 370 lives have been lost. Out of these, 205 were killed in rain-related incidents, including 43 in landslides, 17 in cloudbursts, and nine in flash floods. Another 165 deaths occurred due to road accidents triggered by poor weather, while 41 people remain missing.
The state has also witnessed large-scale infrastructural damage. More than 6,300 houses, 461 shops, and several factories have been destroyed or severely damaged. In total, Himachal Pradesh has recorded 136 major landslides, 95 flash floods, and 45 cloudbursts during this monsoon season.
During his visit to Kangra, PM Modi held a detailed review meeting with state officials and emergency response teams. He later met families who lost their loved ones and interacted with National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and Aapda Mitra volunteers, praising their tireless rescue and relief efforts.
Relief and Recovery Package for Himachal
The ₹1,500 crore financial package for Himachal Pradesh includes the advance release of the second instalment of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). Additionally, support will be provided under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme and the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).
PM Modi also announced ex-gratia assistance of ₹2 lakh each for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. Laying out a multi-dimensional recovery plan, he said the focus would be on rebuilding homes under the PM Awas Yojana, restoring national highways, repairing damaged schools, and supporting farmers with mini kits and relief for livestock.
To speed up relief delivery, damaged houses will be geotagged for faster aid allocation. Schools will also be able to geotag their damages to secure assistance under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. Water harvesting structures will be built to improve groundwater levels and strengthen long-term water management.
Inter-Ministerial Central Teams have already been deployed to Himachal Pradesh to assess the losses, and the Centre has indicated that further financial assistance will be considered after their detailed report.
Punjab Faces Worst Floods Since 1988
After completing his review in Himachal Pradesh, PM Modi travelled to Punjab, which is facing its worst floods since 1988. The Prime Minister conducted an aerial survey of the submerged areas and chaired a review meeting with state officials in Gurdaspur.
Floods in Punjab have been triggered by the swelling of rivers such as the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi, along with heavy rainfall in catchment areas in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. The disaster has so far claimed 51 lives in the state, leaving behind a trail of destruction in agricultural lands, homes, and infrastructure.
In Gurdaspur, PM Modi interacted with flood-affected families, assuring them of urgent relief and long-term rehabilitation measures. He also met with NDRF, SDRF, and Aapda Mitra volunteers, acknowledging their efforts in saving lives.
Centre’s Commitment to Rehabilitation
Addressing the victims and officials, PM Modi emphasized that the Government of India would leave no stone unturned in providing relief to those affected. He underscored that farmers’ welfare would remain a top priority, with special measures to restore farmlands, livestock support, and agricultural relief.
In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, “The pain of those affected in Himachal and Punjab is deeply distressing. We are fully committed to ensuring relief reaches everyone in need.”
Outlook
The ₹3,100 crore package announced by the Prime Minister is aimed not just at immediate relief but also at building resilience against future disasters. With large parts of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab struggling to recover, the Centre’s financial and logistical support will play a crucial role in helping these states rebuild lives and infrastructure.
