PM Modi to visit Uttarakhand today to review flood damage

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Uttarakhand on Thursday to assess the large-scale destruction caused by the heavy monsoon rains that have swept across the state.

He is expected to reach Dehradun in the evening and conduct an aerial survey of the flood-hit areas around 4.15 p.m. to gauge the impact. Later, at 5 p.m., he will chair a high-level meeting with state and central officials to review the relief and rehabilitation measures.

Authorities said extensive security arrangements have been put in place for the visit.

Uttarakhand has faced severe monsoon-triggered disasters in recent months, with cloudbursts, landslides, and flash floods causing widespread devastation. Officials said the calamities have so far claimed over 80 lives, left nearly 100 missing, and inflicted losses exceeding Rs 5,000 crore, with roads, schools, and power lines among the worst affected.

A central team had earlier visited the state to assess the situation and coordinate support.

The visit follows Modi’s inspection of flood-affected regions in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh earlier this week.

Before arriving in Uttarakhand, the Prime Minister will hold a meeting with his Mauritian counterpart, Navinchandra Ramgoolam, in Varanasi. The talks, scheduled for 11.30 a.m., are expected to focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation in areas including healthcare, education, science and technology, renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and the blue economy.

The discussions aim to build on the momentum of Modi’s visit to Mauritius in March, when the two countries upgraded their relationship to an ‘Enhanced Strategic Partnership’.