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Key Points

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting flood-affected Punjab and Himachal Pradesh on September 9th to personally assess the damage. The Punjab government has estimated massive losses of Rs 13,289 crore with nearly 2,000 villages impacted across 22 districts. Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh has suffered extensive damage with 366 fatalities and critical infrastructure disruptions. The visits follow central assessment teams' evaluations as both states seek special relief packages from the government.

Key Points: PM Modi Visits Flood-Hit Punjab and Himachal to Assess Damage

  • PM Modi to hold review meetings with state ministers and officials
  • Punjab estimates Rs 13,289 crore loss from devastating floods
  • 1996 villages across 22 districts affected with 387,013 people impacted
  • Two central teams assessing damage to submit reports for relief assistance
3 min read

PM Modi to visit flood-hit Punjab on Sep 9

PM Modi to personally assess flood damage in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh on Sep 9, with state losses estimated at over Rs 13,289 crore and 1996 villages affected.

"He is visiting Punjab on September 9 to personally assess the local conditions - Sunil Jakhar, Punjab BJP Chief"

Chandigarh, Sep 7

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit flood-hit Punjab on Tuesday to take stock of the situation in the state.

It is learnt that after visiting Punjab, he will travel to neighbouring disaster-hit Himachal Pradesh to review and assess the situation.

Responding to the visit, state BJP chief Sunil Jakhar on Sunday said that Prime Minister Modi "is deeply concerned about the flood situation in Punjab and is closely monitoring it".

"He is visiting Punjab on September 9 to personally assess the local conditions and understand the ground realities to provide maximum assistance to the people of Punjab".

Earlier, Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Chauhan was sent to evaluate the situation.

"Two central government teams, which visited to assess the damage caused by the floods in Punjab, are set to submit their reports to the central government after their tour. The Government of India stands firmly with the people of Punjab," Jakhar wrote on X.

It is learnt that the PM, after casting his vote in the September 9 vice-presidential election in Delhi, is likely to land at Amritsar on Tuesday afternoon, and there he will hold a review meeting with state ministers and officials.

The state government has estimated a loss of Rs 13,289 crore due to the floods. The figure was presented by the government to members of two Central inter-ministerial teams that have been touring Punjab to assess the damage.

Punjab Revenue Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian said 1996 villages across 22 districts have been impacted, affecting a population of 387,013. A total of 22,854 people have been rescued. The highest number of evacuations has been carried out in Gurdaspur district (5,581), followed by Fazilka (4,202), Ferozepur (3,888), Amritsar (3,260), Hoshiarpur (1,616), Pathankot (1,139), and Kapurthala (1,428).

Meanwhile, two teams of the Union Home Ministry will arrive in Himachal Pradesh to assess the damage in Chamba and Kullu districts that faced severe devastation caused by incessant rainfall, which has claimed lives and caused extensive damage to infrastructure and agriculture. Both teams will be on tour till September 10, and they will assess the damage and submit a report to the Home Ministry, a senior state government functionary told IANS.

The state government has pegged a loss of Rs 3,959 crore.

Till now, the spells of rain have continued during the monsoon, and the figure of damage is increasing in all 12 districts of the state.

The Indian Air Force was deployed for rescue operations of the Manimahesh Yatra to assist stranded pilgrims.

The Congress government in the state has been demanding a special relief package from the Central government. In June, 31 people died in the Seraj assembly constituency of Mandi district and road connectivity to all places was cut off. After that, Kullu, Kangra, Mandi and now Chamba district were badly impacted. Till date, the death toll is 366.

The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) reported that 869 roads remain blocked, while 1,572 power supply lines and 389 water supply schemes have been disrupted.

During the Monsoon Session of the Assembly, the government passed a resolution to declare the state a national disaster-hit state in view of the unprecedented disaster situation.

In 2023, Himachal Pradesh suffered a loss of more than Rs 10,000 crore due to natural disasters. In 2024, too, Shimla and Kullu districts bore the brunt of natural calamity.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While I appreciate the PM's visit, why did it take so long? The floods have been devastating since July. Immediate assistance was needed, not just assessments and reports. Hope the relief reaches people quickly now.
S
Sarah B
The scale of damage is heartbreaking. 366 lives lost in Himachal? That's devastating. Kudos to the IAF for rescue operations. Hope both states get the financial support they desperately need. 🙏
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Arjun K
Good to see central teams assessing the damage properly. The ₹13,289 crore loss estimate for Punjab seems accurate given the widespread destruction. Hope the compensation reaches farmers quickly - they've lost everything.
M
Michael C
The infrastructure damage is massive - 869 roads blocked, power and water supply disrupted. This needs long-term rebuilding, not just immediate relief. Hope the center announces a comprehensive rehabilitation package.
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Kavya N
My relatives in Gurdaspur were rescued by NDRF teams. Thank you to all the rescue personnel working tirelessly! Hope the PM's visit speeds up the assistance process. The people need help NOW, not after more paperwork.

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