PM Modi reviews flood-hit Himachal and Punjab; promises financial aid, housing support and agricultural rehabilitation (Ld)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took swift action on Tuesday, visiting Himachal Pradesh and Punjab to tackle the devastating flood damage from heavy rains. These back-to-back trips focused on assessing the destruction and boosting relief efforts in the flood-hit states.
In Himachal Pradesh, Modi started with an aerial survey of areas ravaged by floods and landslides. He then held a key meeting in Kangra with local officials to check on relief measures and gauge the overall damage. To help the hill state recover quickly, he announced a Rs 1,500 crore relief package. This includes advance payments from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and the second instalment of PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, giving farmers much-needed support.
Moving to Punjab, Modi conducted another aerial survey over flood-affected regions. In a review meeting in Gurdaspur with officials and elected leaders, he discussed ongoing relief and rehabilitation work while evaluating the state’s losses. Punjab got Rs 1,600 crore in fresh financial aid, on top of the Rs 12,000 crore already available. Like in Himachal, the state will receive early SDRF and PM-Kisan funds to aid recovery.
Throughout his visits, Modi met families hit hard by the floods and landslides. He expressed deep condolences to those who lost loved ones and promised ex-gratia payments: Rs 2 lakh for each deceased person’s family and Rs 50,000 for the seriously injured. Orphaned children will get long-term help under the PM CARES for Children scheme, ensuring they have a brighter future.
Rebuilding efforts are in full swing. Damaged homes will be reconstructed under the PM Awas Yojana, with geotagging to track progress. National highways, rural roads, and government schools will see repairs through the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. Farmers, especially those without power connections, will benefit from extra aid like borewell refurbishments under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and solar-powered irrigation from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
The Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) will provide more rehabilitation support, including livestock mini-kits. Plus, rainwater-harvesting structures will be built or fixed under the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari initiative to prevent future water woes.
Central teams from various ministries have already reached both states for on-ground damage assessments. More help will follow based on their detailed reports. Modi also commended the quick response from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Army, and state teams. He assured full cooperation from the central government to speed up all flood relief and restoration work.
The floods have caused massive losses. In Himachal Pradesh, damages from cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides between June 20 and September 8 total around Rs 4,122 crore. Punjab faces even steeper costs, with economic losses over Rs 13,289 crore, mainly from destroyed crops on 1.76 lakh hectares of farmland and wrecked infrastructure. These visits highlight the government’s commitment to standing by flood-affected families and rebuilding stronger.
