Dharamshala/Kangra

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday undertook an aerial survey of flood-affected areas in Himachal Pradesh, assessing the widespread damage caused by heavy rains, landslides, and cloudbursts between June 20 and September 8. The state has suffered losses worth over ₹4,122 crore, with 370 deaths, 41 people missing, and extensive damage to homes, infrastructure, and agriculture.

Following the survey, the Prime Minister chaired a high-level review meeting in Kangra with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, former CM Jairam Thakur, senior officials, and disaster response teams. He expressed solidarity with the people of Himachal, praising the tireless efforts of NDRF, SDRF, the Army, and local authorities in relief and rescue operations.

To support the state, PM Modi announced a financial package of ₹1,500 crore, along with the advance release of the second instalment of SDRF and PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. He also declared ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.

The relief measures include rebuilding houses under PM Awas Yojana with geotagging for accurate damage assessment, restoring national highways, rehabilitating schools under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, and providing mini kits for livestock. Special provisions will be made for farmers without power connections, and water harvesting structures will be built to improve groundwater management.

CM Sukhu, while welcoming the Prime Minister at Kangra Airport, highlighted the devastation across the state and requested a special relief package. “Our farmers’ crops have been destroyed, landslides have damaged roads, electricity, and water facilities. The losses are enormous, and we look forward to central support,” he said.

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The Centre has already deputed inter-ministerial teams to assess the extent of damage, and further assistance will be based on their report. PM Modi also met affected families, offering condolences and assuring that the Union Government will continue to work closely with the state to provide maximum support.