Centre to support rebuilding of homes, schools and infrastructure in rain-battered state

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday undertook an aerial survey of flood and rain-affected areas in Himachal Pradesh and pledged Rs 1,500 crore in central assistance to support relief and rehabilitation. The Prime Minister also announced Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

Following the survey, Modi chaired a review meeting in Kangra with state officials to assess the extent of damage caused by cloudbursts, heavy rains and landslides. He said a multi-dimensional strategy would be adopted to restore livelihoods, rebuild infrastructure and provide targeted support to farmers and families displaced by the calamity.

The assistance package includes advance release of the State Disaster Response Fund’s second instalment and funds under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. Damaged homes will be geotagged for speedy reconstruction under the PM Awas Yojana, while schools will also be enabled to report and geotag damages for assistance under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan.
Additional measures cover construction of recharge structures for water harvesting, restoration of highways, and relief through the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF). Children orphaned in the disaster will be provided comprehensive support under the PM CARES for Children scheme.

Inter-ministerial teams have been sent to assess the scale of losses, and further assistance will follow their reports. Modi assured close coordination with the state government to ensure quick delivery of aid. He praised the efforts of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Army, and Aapda Mitra volunteers in rescue and relief operations.
“The Union Government will extend all possible help to rebuild Himachal Pradesh,” Modi said, expressing condolences to families who lost loved ones in the calamity.