Chandigarh: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (September 9, 2025) said the Centre stands “shoulder to shoulder” with those affected by the floods as he began his visit to Himachal Pradesh and Punjab to review the situation.
According to officials, Mr. Modi is on a day-long tour of both states. After visiting Himachal Pradesh, he will conduct an aerial survey of the flood-hit areas in Punjab, including Gurdaspur, where he is scheduled to meet senior officials, chair a review meeting, and interact with flood victims as well as members of the NDRF, SDRF, and Aapda Mitra teams.
Before leaving Delhi, the Prime Minister wrote on X: “The Government of India stands shoulder to shoulder with those affected in this tragic hour.” Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar had earlier said that Mr. Modi was deeply concerned about the situation and was personally monitoring developments.
Tight security arrangements have been made in Gurdaspur for the Prime Minister’s visit.
Punjab is reeling under one of its worst flood disasters in decades, triggered by swollen rivers—Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi—along with seasonal rivulets fed by heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. Recent downpours within Punjab have further worsened the crisis.
So far, the floods have claimed 51 lives, while standing crops spread over 1.84 lakh hectares have been damaged.
