Chandigarh- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a visit to Himachal Pradesh, has announced a financial assistance of Rs 1500 crore for the flood and rain-affected areas of the hill state. The Prime Minister has also announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. Modi also announced the advance release of the second installment of SDRF and Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi and approval under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, restoration of national highways, provision of relief under PMNRF as well as release of mini kits for cattle. The Prime Minister also met the families affected by this disaster. He expressed his condolences and deep sorrow to the family members of those who lost their lives. He said that the Central Government will work closely with the state government in this difficult time and provide all possible assistance.
The Prime Minister also met the volunteers of NDRF, SDRF and Aapda Mitra and appreciated their efforts in relief and rehabilitation work. He assured all possible help for restoration and reconstruction of infrastructure in the affected areas.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took stock of the flood and landslide affected areas in Himachal Pradesh. He reached Kangra after conducting an aerial survey of the disaster-hit Mandi and Kullu districts. On his arrival at Gaggal Airport in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Sukhu, Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri welcomed him. After visiting the flood-affected areas of Himachal, Mr. Modi will travel from Kangra to Pathankot in Punjab and then to Gurdaspur.
Prime Minister Modi also interacted with some of the people affected by the severe floods and landslides in Himachal Pradesh. A total of 136 landslides, 95 flash floods and 45 cloudbursts have caused extensive damage to public infrastructure and private property since the onset of monsoon on June 20 earlier this year. 615 roads, including four national highways, remain closed while 1748 power transformers and 461 water schemes are down.