Sunil Chadha
Chandigarh/Shimla: – Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit the flood-devastated regions of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh—including Kangra in Himachal—on Tuesday, September 9, to assess the damage caused by monsoon fury and guide relief efforts.
According to Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar, Modi will fly into Kangra before heading to Punjab to survey affected zones.
“Prime Minister Modi is deeply concerned about the flood situation and is closely monitoring it,” Jakhar affirmed, explaining the visit’s purpose is to understand ground realities firsthand and ensure optimum assistance to affected citizens.
In Punjab, the Prime Minister is expected to conduct an aerial survey of flood-hit areas, including border districts and Pathankot, followed by meetings with state officials to finalize relief and rehabilitation plans.
He will visit Gurdaspur to meet with flood-affected families, emphasizing the need to strengthen embankments of the Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, and Ghaggar rivers—long weakened by illegal mining and maintenance lapses.
In Himachal Pradesh, Modi is scheduled to convene a high-level meeting in Dharamsala to review monsoon damage, including landslides, road washouts, and flooding in the Kangra, Chamba, Kullu, and other regions.
The state has been severely affected: 366 people have lost their lives during this monsoon, and landslide-blocked roads (such as Theog-Hatkoti on NH-705) are being cleared as restoration efforts intensify.
Kangra Airport has also faced operational challenges, with nearly 40 percent of flights cancelled over the past two months due to heavy rainfall and low visibility. In response, airport authorities have worked with the Indian Air Force to reduce visibility requirements and improve flight scheduling.
Modi’s visit—coming on the heels of a vice-presidential polling day—marks a significant central response to the dual state crises. His presence aims to reinforce relief coordination, oversee early infrastructure recovery, and ensure long-term resilience planning in partnership with state governments.
