Kangra — Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a ₹1,500 crore relief package for Himachal Pradesh to aid in the state’s recovery after devastating floods, landslides, and cloudbursts wreaked havoc across multiple districts. During his visit on Tuesday, the Prime Minister conducted an aerial survey of the worst-affected areas before holding a comprehensive review meeting with state officials in Kangra.
The aid package is intended to accelerate the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in the hill state, which has seen severe damage to homes, roads, schools, and farmlands over recent weeks. The Prime Minister emphasized that the Union Government would adopt a multi-pronged strategy for relief and rebuilding work, and assured the affected population that “the Centre will stand firmly with Himachal Pradesh during this challenging period.”
Relief Package to Cover Multiple Sectors
The ₹1,500 crore aid will be allocated toward various urgent and long-term recovery efforts. This includes rebuilding damaged homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), repairing key highway infrastructure that has been washed away or rendered impassable, restoring damaged school buildings, and providing compensation and support to farmers and livestock owners.
Alongside the package, the Prime Minister also announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh to the families of those who lost their lives in the disaster and ₹50,000 for those injured. These payments will be made from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).
Immediate Financial Assistance for Ongoing Relief
The Centre will advance the release of the second instalment of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), enabling the Himachal Pradesh government to scale up ongoing rescue and relief operations. The PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi funds will also be released early to benefit farmers whose crops have been destroyed or lands rendered infertile due to flooding and soil erosion.
“The government is prioritizing both short-term relief and long-term sustainability,” PM Modi said, underlining the need for effective coordination between central and state agencies.
Education and Water Conservation Among Key Priorities
To ensure education is not disrupted in the wake of the calamity, schools that have suffered infrastructural damage will be permitted to geotag and report their losses for prompt assistance under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. This move is expected to help thousands of children who have been displaced or left without functioning school buildings.
In addition, the Centre plans to construct new water recharge structures to improve groundwater retention and long-term water sustainability, especially in hill regions where water scarcity often follows flood events due to disrupted hydrological cycles.
PM Interacts with Victims, Praises Relief Forces
During his visit, PM Modi interacted with families directly affected by the calamity and extended his condolences. He assured them that the Union Government would provide every necessary support, in partnership with the Himachal Pradesh government.
The Prime Minister also praised the tireless efforts of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the Indian Army, local administration, and thousands of volunteers, who have been working round the clock to rescue stranded individuals, deliver medical supplies, and provide shelter to those displaced.
“Relief teams have saved lives and ensured supplies reach even the remotest villages. Their dedication is commendable,” PM Modi said.
Central Team Assessing Damage for Further Support
An inter-ministerial central team has already been deployed to conduct a ground-level assessment of the scale of destruction. The findings will guide the next phase of the Centre’s assistance, which could include additional financial packages, infrastructure rebuilding plans, and technical assistance in climate-resilient planning.
The Prime Minister urged authorities to not only restore what was lost but also rebuild with resilience to prevent similar devastation in the future.
Climate Resilience and Policy Realignment Needed
Himachal Pradesh has witnessed increasing climate volatility over the past decade, with this year’s monsoon season triggering a series of flash floods and landslides across Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, and Kangra districts. Experts have pointed to unplanned urbanization, deforestation, and fragile slope management as key contributing factors.
In this context, PM Modi called for a rethink on infrastructure development norms in hilly regions, suggesting that future policies must factor in climate resilience, geotechnical assessments, and disaster preparedness.
“The natural topography of Himachal Pradesh requires us to be extremely cautious in our development strategies,” he noted.
Political and Public Reactions
The relief package announcement has drawn widespread responses from across the political spectrum. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu welcomed the Centre’s support, describing it as a timely intervention that would bolster the state’s own efforts to rehabilitate displaced families and restore public infrastructure.
Opposition parties, while appreciating the Centre’s commitment, have also called for greater long-term planning to prevent recurring disasters in vulnerable mountain regions. Some leaders have urged the government to establish a dedicated Himalayan Disaster Mitigation Fund, considering the unique challenges faced by states like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and parts of the Northeast.
Local residents in flood-hit areas have expressed cautious optimism. “We lost our home, our cattle, and all our belongings,” said Devinder Singh, a farmer from Mandi. “But the Prime Minister’s visit and assurance of help give us some hope.”
A Wake-Up Call for Hill States
The recent devastation in Himachal Pradesh underscores the fragile ecological balance in Himalayan regions. Environmentalists argue that poor land-use practices, excessive road cutting, and illegal constructions have exacerbated the impact of natural disasters.
The Centre’s announcement of a focus on sustainable water management, education continuity, and agriculture support is being viewed as a step in the right direction, though experts urge deeper structural reforms.
Relief alone, they warn, will not be enough unless followed by policy realignments, stricter environmental regulations, and community participation in disaster preparedness.
The ₹1,500 crore relief package announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi marks a significant step toward aiding Himachal Pradesh’s recovery from one of the worst natural calamities it has faced in recent years. While the Centre’s immediate response has provided much-needed relief, the path ahead demands sustained efforts in rebuilding infrastructure, restoring livelihoods, and reinforcing the ecological fabric of the state. The success of the recovery will ultimately depend on how effectively both central and state governments translate financial aid into lasting, resilient solutions for the people of Himachal Pradesh.
