PM announces Rs 1,600 cr flood assistance for Punjab, Rs 1,500 cr for Himachal
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday visited Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, the two states affected by floods, landslides and heavy monsoon rain. PM Modi announced a financial assistance of Rs 1,500 crore for Himachal Pradesh and Rs 1,600 crore for Punjab.
The Prime Minister first undertook an aerial survey of the affected areas before holding a review meeting in Kangra with state officials to assess the damage and ongoing relief measures.
He later met affected families to offer condolences and interacted with personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and Aapda Mitra volunteers, appreciating their efforts in rescue and relief work.
State officials said Himachal Pradesh has suffered damages worth over Rs 4,100 crore due to cloudbursts, flash floods and landslides between June 20 and September 8. The disaster has claimed 370 lives, including 205 in rain-related incidents – 43 due to landslides, 17 from cloudbursts and nine in flash floods.
Another 165 people were killed in road accidents triggered by the bad weather, while 41 remain missing. The monsoon has also caused massive infrastructure losses, damaging more than 6,300 houses, 461 shops and factories. The state has witnessed 136 major landslides, 95 flash floods and 45 cloudbursts so far.
Announcing a financial assistance package of Rs 1,500 crore, PM Modi said the Centre would ensure full support for rebuilding and restoration. According to a government press release, the package includes the advance release of the second instalment of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and support under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme.
The Prime Minister also declared an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of those who lost their lives and Rs 50,000 for the injured.