PM Modi to Visit Flood-Hit Northern States to Review Relief Operations

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit multiple northern states affected by severe monsoon rains, including Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Uttarakhand, to assess the ongoing flood situation and oversee relief and rescue operations, as reported by India TV.

According to the report, over 500 people have lost their lives due to incessant rainfall, flash floods, and landslides that have devastated large parts of northern India. Himachal Pradesh has been the worst-affected, with 355 fatalities recorded since June 20, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) confirmed. Torrential rains have caused landslides, building collapses, and destruction of critical infrastructure, leaving the hill state grappling with one of its most severe monsoon seasons in years.

Punjab is also reeling under widespread flooding as rivers including the Beas, Satluj, Ravi, and Ghaggar flow above danger levels. Controlled releases from major dams such as Bhakhra, Pong, and Ranjit Sagar have exacerbated the situation. Nearly 1,650 villages across the state’s 23 districts are submerged, with over 1.75 lakh acres of farmland affected and paddy crops destroyed. Districts like Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Ferozepur, and Fazilka have been severely impacted, with 37 deaths reported and three people still missing. The state government has closed all educational institutions until September 7, while rescue operations by the Army, Air Force, BSF, and NDRF continue round the clock.

In Gujarat, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for central districts like Panchmahal, Dahod, and Mahisagar following heavy rains. Kadana Dam authorities released 4.5 lakh cusecs of water, resulting in knee-deep waterlogging in Vadodara, damaged pandals, disrupted processions, and power outages in multiple areas. Rajasthan remains under orange alerts, with the collapse of Ajmer’s Boraj dam wall causing severe flooding in over 35 districts including Jaipur. The state has reported 193 deaths, with Sawai Madhopur losing 40% of its guava orchards, valued at around Rs 4 crore, and widespread damage noted in Bikaner and Hanumangarh.

In Jammu and Kashmir, an advanced survey team from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) visited the state on Wednesday to assess flood and landslide damage. Home Minister Amit Shah directed officials to use data analytics and AI for disaster assessment and to strengthen early warning systems. He also visited affected residents in Mangu Chak village, inspected damaged infrastructure including the Tawi Bridge, and chaired a high-level review meeting.

Across the northern belt, more than 5,000 people have been evacuated to safer areas. Seventeen NDRF teams, 23 Army columns, and IAF helicopters are engaged in ongoing rescue operations.