Shimla, September 9 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced a financial assistance package of ₹1,500 crore for Himachal Pradesh, which has been ravaged by floods, landslides and cloudbursts since June. He also declared an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh each for the next of kin of those who lost their lives and ₹50,000 for the injured.
The announcement followed an aerial survey of the severely affected Mandi and Kullu districts, after which Modi reviewed the situation with state officials. “The Centre will extend all possible assistance to Himachal in this difficult time,” the Prime Minister said, assuring support for relief, restoration and rebuilding.
Alongside the relief package, Modi announced the advance release of the second SDRF instalment, benefits under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi and PM Awas Yojana, as well as funds for national highway restoration and mini livestock kits. He also stressed special support for farmers without power connections and ordered geotagging of damaged houses and schools to speed up rehabilitation under housing and education schemes.
During his visit, Modi met families affected by the disaster and expressed condolences. He also interacted with NDRF, SDRF and Aapda Mitra volunteers, praising their role in relief and rescue operations.
Himachal has reported 370 deaths, 41 missing persons and damages worth over ₹4,500 crore this monsoon season. The state has suffered 136 landslides, 95 flash floods and 45 cloudbursts, leaving 615 roads, four national highways, 1,748 transformers and 461 water schemes still non-functional.
Modi arrived in Kangra later in the day, where he was received by Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri, and other senior leaders. BJP’s Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur and state party chief Rajiv Bindal were also present.
