PM Modi Conducts Aerial Survey of Flood-Hit Mandi and Kullu; Himachal Faces ₹4,122 Crore Losses

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday conducted an aerial survey of the disaster-hit Mandi and Kullu districts of Himachal Pradesh, which have been ravaged by cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides since June 20. The heavy monsoon has left behind massive destruction, claiming 370 lives and causing damages estimated at ₹4,122 crore, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC).

PM Modi’s Visit

The Prime Minister arrived at Gaggal Airport, where he was received by Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri, Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, state BJP president Rajiv Bindal, and several legislators.

During his visit, PM Modi was scheduled to be briefed by the Chief Minister and senior officials about the scale of the disaster. BJP leaders were also expected to apprise him of the challenges on the ground.

Monsoon Toll on Himachal Pradesh

• Total deaths: 370 (205 due to rain-related incidents + 165 in road accidents)
  • Landslides: 43 deaths
  • Cloudbursts: 17 deaths
  • Flash floods: 9 deaths
• Missing persons: 41
• Infrastructure damage:
  • 619 roads closed (including 4 national highways)
  • 1,748 power transformers disrupted
  • 461 water supply schemes damaged
• Property damage:
  • 6,344 houses affected
  • 461 shops and factories damaged
  • Extensive destruction of government and private lands

CM Sukhu’s Appeal to PM Modi

Ahead of PM Modi’s arrival, Chief Minister Sukhu posted on X, expressing the state’s grief over the loss of lives, villages being buried under debris, and severe disruptions to basic infrastructure.

He said he would:

• Request relaxation in the Forest Conservation Act to provide forest land to families rendered landless.
• Urge the PM to initiate a national-level dialogue on a sustainable development model for hill states.
• Highlight the impact of climate change on fragile Himalayan ecosystems, stressing the urgent need to rethink developmental strategies.

Significance of the Visit

PM Modi’s aerial survey and on-ground briefing mark the Centre’s direct involvement in assessing the disaster’s impact. Himachal Pradesh has repeatedly raised demands for special financial assistance, pointing to the recurring monsoon devastations in recent years. The PM’s visit is also seen as critical for ensuring quicker disaster relief, rehabilitation, and long-term planning for resilience against extreme weather events.

Wider Context

Himachal Pradesh, prone to landslides and flash floods due to its mountainous terrain, has been witnessing increasingly intense monsoon patterns — widely attributed to climate change and unregulated construction in eco-sensitive zones. Experts have warned that unless corrective measures are taken, the frequency and severity of such disasters will rise, threatening both lives and infrastructure in the Himalayan region.