Sunil Chadha
Dharamshala: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday (September 9, 2025) to assess the devastation caused by recent heavy rain.
The PM’s visit is being seen as a critical moment for the disaster-battered hill state, which is hoping for a substantial relief package from the Centre.
Aerial survey, review meeting on cards
According to the schedule, PM Modi is expected to land at Gaggal airport around 1.20 pm. He will hold a review meeting with Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and senior officials at the airport at 1.30 pm to take stock of the losses. Around 20 key representatives are expected to attend this high-level briefing. The meeting will conclude by 2.15 pm, after which the Prime Minister will conduct an aerial survey of the worst-affected regions, including Chamba, Mandi and Kullu.
State’s damage estimate crosses Rs 5,000 crore
Chief Minister Sukhu has stated that heavy rains have caused losses exceeding Rs 5,000 crore in Himachal Pradesh. The state government has prepared a memorandum seeking a special relief package to speed up assistance to the affected families. The CM also plans to request relaxations under the Forest Rights Act to provide land for those who lost their homes and to push for changes in road-construction funding norms, arguing that plains-based rules don’t fit the Himalayan terrain.
Security tightened, no-fly zone in place
In preparation for the high-profile visit, security has been tightened across Kangra. Nearly 400 police personnel have been deployed and drones will monitor sensitive areas. A no-fly zone, including restrictions on paragliding and other aerial activities, will be enforced in Kangra district from noon to 4 pm. SPG officials carried out detailed security checks at Gaggal airport on Monday. Top state leaders, including Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, have already reached Dharamshala ahead of the Prime Minister’s arrival.
