TNR News Network
SHIMLA:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Himachal Pradesh on September 9 to assess the extensive destruction caused by heavy rainfall, flashfloods and landslides. This will probably mark the first time during his tenure that the Prime Minister will tour disaster-hit regions of the hill state.
His visit comes at a time when the state has suffered over Rs 4,080 crore in damages and lost 366 lives due to this year’s monsoon-related calamities.
PM Modi is scheduled to land at Gaggal airport at 11.15 am, following which he will meet Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, opposition leader Jairam Thakur and senior administrative officials. The state government is expected to present a detailed damage report, including data on collapsed homes, infrastructure loss and ongoing rescue operations.
Himachal CM to wants Himachal calamity to be declared national disaster
During the high-level meeting, CM Sukhu will urge PM Modi to announce a special relief package for the state and formally declare Himachal as a disaster-affected region.
A detailed presentation will outline the scale of the crisis, including 478 fully damaged concrete homes and 746 destroyed kutcha houses across districts. The CM is also likely to raise concerns over the delayed release of central funds, citing that only a fraction of the required disaster budget under the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) has been disbursed.
In the wake of the crisis, the state government has already announced its own relief measures, including Rs 7.70 lakh compensation for families who lost their homes. The CM stated that over 50 cloudburst events occurred this season, prompting geologists and environmental scientists to investigate the underlying patterns.
Aerial survey of worst-hit districts
Before departing for Delhi at 3 pm, PM Modi will conduct an aerial survey of the worst-hit regions, including Chamba, Mandi and Kullu. These areas have faced repeated road blockages, disrupted apple supply chains and loss of lives.
The Prime Minister’s visit has raised hope among locals and officials alike that Himachal Pradesh may finally receive adequate support to recover from one of the worst natural disasters in its history.
