New Delhi, Sep 9: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit flood-affected regions in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh today to assess the ongoing disaster response and relief efforts following severe monsoon-triggered floods and landslides in northern India.

According to official sources, PM Modi will first arrive in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh around 1:30 PM, where he is expected to conduct an aerial survey of the most affected areas, weather permitting. Later, he will chair a high-level review meeting in Dharamshala with senior officials from the state administration, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local rescue teams, including Aapda Mitra volunteers. He will also meet disaster-affected residents to understand their concerns.

Following his Himachal visit, the Prime Minister will reach Gurdaspur, Punjab by approximately 4:15 PM to conduct an aerial survey of flood-hit areas. In Gurdaspur, he will hold a ground-level review meeting with officials and interact with residents affected by the floods.

The BJP stated that the PM’s visit aims to “closely monitor relief and rehabilitation efforts” and ensure “all necessary central support” for people in both states.

Ahead of the visit, Punjab Cabinet Minister and AAP State President Aman Arora urged PM Modi to provide a relief package of at least Rs 20,000 crore, criticizing the visit as “mere flood tourism.” He also demanded the immediate release of Rs 60,000 crore in pending funds, including Rs 50,000 crore in GST compensation and Rs 8,000 crore for rural and market development.

Arora emphasized that Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann has repeatedly written to the Centre seeking urgent financial support to restore flood-affected infrastructure.