Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be embarking on a crucial visit to flood-stricken areas of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh today, September 9. This marks his first visit to the region since the devastating floods affected both states. The floods have caused widespread damage, prompting the state governments to declare the areas flood-affected. In his visit, the Prime Minister will conduct an aerial survey of the impacted districts and meet with victims to assess the extent of the damage firsthand.
Aerial Survey and Ground-Level Interactions
The Prime Minister’s tour will begin in Punjab, where he will visit the towns of Pathankot and Gurdaspur. Modi will be briefed on the situation in these areas before conducting an aerial survey of the flood-hit regions. His aerial tour will cover the worst-affected districts, providing a comprehensive view of the damage.
The next stop will take him to Himachal Pradesh, where he will conduct a similar aerial survey over the flood-impacted areas of Chamba, Kullu, and Mandi. Following the aerial assessments, the Prime Minister is expected to hold a high-level meeting in Dharamshala, Kangra with state officials, including Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Sukhu.
Security and Preparations in Place
Security arrangements have been significantly heightened in both Punjab and Himachal Pradesh ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit. In Pathankot and Gurdaspur, which are expected to be central to the PM’s itinerary, stringent measures have been put in place to ensure safety during the visit.
Expectations of Financial Assistance
Both Punjab and Himachal Pradesh are hopeful that the Prime Minister’s visit will lead to a substantial relief package for the flood-affected regions. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab has already put forth a demand for a special financial aid package of ₹80,000 crore from the Centre to help rebuild infrastructure and assist those who have lost homes, crops, and livelihoods.
Timeline of the PM’s Visit
The Prime Minister’s schedule for the day has been meticulously planned. He will arrive in Pathankot early in the morning and will then travel by helicopter to Himachal Pradesh. The aerial survey will take him across the severely impacted districts of Chamba, Kullu, and Mandi, after which he will land at Gaggal Airport near Dharamshala around 11:30 am.
At approximately noon, PM Modi will convene a meeting with local officials in Dharamshala to discuss relief measures. Following this, he will head back to Pathankot via helicopter. Due to the ill health of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who is currently hospitalized, the Chief Secretary of Punjab will present a detailed report on the flood situation to the Prime Minister.
The final leg of the visit will take the Prime Minister to Gurdaspur, where he is expected to meet the flood victims in the afternoon, around 4 pm. Key leaders from the Punjab BJP, including state president Sunil Jakhar and executive president Ashwini Sharma, will also be in attendance. As Chief Minister Mann’s health prevents him from attending, other senior state officials will represent the Punjab government.
A Call for National Unity in the Wake of Disaster
The visit comes at a crucial time as both Punjab and Himachal Pradesh struggle to recover from the unprecedented flooding that has affected thousands of families, damaged infrastructure, and disrupted daily life. Prime Minister Modi’s engagement with the affected regions is seen as a sign of solidarity, with the Centre expected to play a key role in the relief and rehabilitation process.
As the nation watches, both states are eager for decisive action, hoping that the Prime Minister’s visit will not only bring immediate aid but also long-term solutions to strengthen flood management systems for future resilience.
