PM Modi Announces ₹1,500 Crore Relief for Flood-Hit Himachal After Aerial Survey
PM Modi Conducts Aerial Survey in Disaster-Hit State
Kangra (Himachal Pradesh), September 9, 2025 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday conducted an aerial survey of the flood and landslide-affected districts of Mandi and Kullu before arriving in Kangra to review the situation on the ground.
The Prime Minister, who was received at Gaggal airport by Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, and State BJP chief Rajiv Bindal, was briefed about the scale of devastation caused by this year’s monsoon.
Following the survey, Modi announced ₹1,500 crore in financial assistance for Himachal Pradesh to aid recovery and rehabilitation.
Relief Package: Focus on Housing, Roads, and Agriculture
The relief package includes an advance release of the second instalment of SDRF (State Disaster Response Fund) and funds under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme.
The Prime Minister stressed a multi-dimensional recovery plan, covering:
- Rebuilding homes through PM Awas Yojana, with geotagging of damaged houses to ensure accurate assessments and timely compensation.
- Restoration of national highways and rural roads for connectivity.
- Rebuilding schools with geotagging to enable swift allocation of aid under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, ensuring education is not disrupted.
- Provision of Mini Kits for livestock and targeted aid for farmers without power connections to stabilize the agricultural sector.
- Construction of recharge structures for rainwater harvesting to strengthen water management and improve groundwater levels.
- Relief under the PM National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for immediate assistance to affected families.
“The priority is to bring Himachal Pradesh and its people back on their feet with a long-term vision for sustainable development,” the Prime Minister said during the review meeting.
Scale of the Disaster
According to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), the state has suffered estimated losses worth ₹4,122 crore between June 20 and September 8 due to cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides triggered by heavy monsoon rains.
370 lives lost, including 205 in rain-related incidents:
- 43 due to landslides
- 17 in cloudbursts
- 9 in flash floods
- 165 deaths from road accidents during the same period.
- 41 people remain missing.
- 6,344 houses and 461 shops/factories have been fully or partially damaged.
- As of Tuesday morning, 619 roads (including four national highways) remain closed, while 1,748 power transformers and 461 water supply schemes have been disrupted.
One eyewitness in Kullu told local reporters, “Entire villages have been buried under debris. We have lost homes, farmlands, and schools. The Prime Minister’s visit gives us hope that help will reach us quickly.”
Support from BJP-Ruled States
Alongside the Centre’s relief package, BJP-ruled states have extended financial support:
- Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Haryana, Tripura, and Uttar Pradesh have each contributed ₹5 crore to Himachal Pradesh, along with truckloads of food and essential supplies.
- Punjab has received aid worth ₹5 crore each from Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, and Haryana, highlighting a wider regional support network.
Chief Minister Seeks Long-Term Policy Change
Ahead of PM Modi’s visit, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu highlighted the need for structural policy changes.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Sukhu wrote, “Himachal Pradesh is suffering the pain of losing loved ones, villages being buried under debris, and extensive damage to infrastructure. We will request the Prime Minister to consider relaxation in the Forest Conservation Act to provide land to families rendered landless.”
He also underlined the importance of sustainable development in hill states, questioning whether current models adequately protect fragile mountain ecosystems from the impact of climate change.
Why This Matters
The relief package is significant not only for Himachal Pradesh but also for other disaster-prone Himalayan states that face recurring challenges of flash floods, landslides, and infrastructure damage.
Nationally, the Centre’s rapid response highlights the political and humanitarian importance of disaster management, especially in states where tourism, agriculture, and hydropower are key economic drivers.
Analysts note that the government’s focus on geotagging damaged homes and schools represents a shift towards technology-driven disaster response, ensuring transparency and accountability in relief distribution.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s aerial survey and announcement of ₹1,500 crore in relief mark an important step in Himachal Pradesh’s recovery journey. While the immediate aid will bring much-needed respite to thousands of affected families, Chief Minister Sukhu’s call for sustainable development underscores the deeper challenges that lie ahead.
As climate-related disasters grow more frequent, the resilience of Himalayan states will depend not just on financial relief but also on long-term policies that balance development with ecological preservation. For Himachal Pradesh, the coming months will be critical in determining how effectively relief translates into recovery.