PM Modi to visit states affected by floods to review situation: Sources

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit several flood-ravaged states in northern India to assess the ground situation and review relief efforts, the government sources said on Friday. However, no official date or schedule has been announced for PM Modi's visit yet.

The visit comes amid calls from some state governments for Central assistance to tackle the ongoing crisis. Over the past few weeks, relentless rainfall has triggered flash floods and landslides across Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Uttarakhand, causing widespread destruction. More than 500 people have been killed in these northern states since the onset of the monsoon in June this year.

Several northern states are reeling from one of the worst weather disasters in decades. In the past two days alone, fresh landslides, flash floods and collapsing infrastructure have claimed many lives. In several states, key highways remain blocked, rivers are flowing above danger marks and large areas of farmland have been submerged under floodwaters.

Himachal Pradesh, one of the worst-affected states, has reported 95 flash floods, 45 cloudbursts, and 132 major landslides since the onset of the monsoon on June 20. At least 355 people have



lost their lives in rain-related incidents and road accidents, while 49 others remain missing.

The total estimated damage to the state has reached Rs 3,787 crore, officials said. As many as 1,217 roads remain blocked across Himachal Pradesh, including key routes in Mandi, Shimla, Kullu, and Chamba districts, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC).

Several major national highways: NH-3 (Mandi-Dharampur), NH-5 (Old Hindustan-Tibet Road), NH-305 (Aut-Sainj) and NH-505 (Khab to Gramphu) have been shut due to landslides and flooding. Train services on the Shimla-Kalka route have also been suspended until Friday after multiple landslips along the track.

Furthermore, the announcement of PM Modi’s visit comes after the Uttarakhand government requested Rs 5,702.15 crore in special assistance from the Centre to cover losses caused by this year’s monsoon-related natural disasters.

The recent floods have damaged over 101 km of PWD link roads, 54 km of PWD plan roads and 117 km of Mandi Board roads in Hoshiarpur. Additionally, at least 141 primary and upper primary schools have reported structural damage, including to roofs, flooring, plaster, boundary walls and toilets.