Key Points:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will conduct an aerial survey of flood- and landslide-hit areas in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab on Tuesday.
- He will chair high-level meetings in both states to review relief and rehabilitation efforts.
- Himachal Pradesh has suffered losses of over ₹4,122 crore, with 370 deaths since the monsoon began.
- Punjab is facing one of its worst floods in decades, with 46 fatalities and crop damage across 1.75 lakh hectares.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Himachal Pradesh and Punjab today to assess the extensive damage caused by severe floods and landslides that have devastated the two northern states. The visit aims to monitor relief and rehabilitation operations and extend all possible support to the affected populations.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to arrive in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, around 1:30 PM. Weather permitting, he will undertake an aerial survey of the regions most severely impacted by the disaster. Following the survey, Mr. Modi will chair a high-level review meeting in Dharamshala with state authorities, including Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, to discuss the damage and coordinate relief efforts. He will also interact with flood-affected residents and meet with personnel from the NDRF, SDRF, and local ‘Aapda Mitra’ teams involved in rescue operations.
After his engagements in Himachal Pradesh, the Prime Minister will proceed to Punjab around 3 PM to conduct an aerial survey of its flood-hit areas. At approximately 4:15 PM, he will arrive at Tibri Army Station in Gurdaspur for another review meeting with senior officials. The Prime Minister is also expected to meet with affected families and relief teams on the ground.
Devastation in Himachal Pradesh
The monsoon season, which began on June 20, has been catastrophic for Himachal Pradesh. The state has recorded 370 fatalities, with 205 deaths directly linked to rain-related incidents like landslides, flash floods, and cloudbursts. The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) has reported total economic losses exceeding ₹4,122 crore as of September 8. The disaster has damaged thousands of homes, shops, and public infrastructure, including over 5,354 roads and numerous water and power supply systems.
Punjab Grapples with Record Floods
Punjab is currently battling its most severe floods in decades, triggered by heavy rainfall and overflowing rivers such as the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi. The disaster has claimed 46 lives and submerged crops across approximately 1.75 lakh hectares, severely impacting the state’s agricultural sector. According to official estimates, nearly 2,000 villages have been affected, with over 3.5 lakh people impacted by the deluge. Relief and rescue operations involving the NDRF, Army, and BSF are underway on a war footing.
