Dharamshala, Sept. 10 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced an immediate relief of Rs.1,500 crore for disaster-hit Himachal Pradesh. PM Modi, who reviewed the flood situation and damage caused due to recent cloudbursts, rains and landslides in affected areas of the hill-state, also announced Rs.2 lakh ex-gratia for the next of kin of the dead and Rs.50,000 for the injured. While leaving from Delhi for Himachal Pradesh and Punjab to review the situation in the wake of floods and landslides, PM Modi wrote on X, "The Government of India stands shoulder to shoulder with those affected in this tragic hour." The PM conducted an aerial survey of flood-affected areas of Himachal and then held a meeting in Kangra to review the relief and rehabilitation measures undertaken as well as assess the damage. In the meeting with chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, BJP leaders and state government officials, Modi assured all help for the restoration and rebuilding of infrastructure in the affected areas. CM Sukhu briefed the PM Modi on the unprecedented losses caused by torrential rains this year. Sukhu also requested relaxation under the Forest Conservation Act to allow the resettlement of displaced families on forest land, as 68% Himachal's land was forest area. Sukhu also sought a special relief package from the Centre, emphasising that the state's resources alone were insufficient to cope with the scale of destruction. Additionally, the CM urged the Centre to permit an extra 2% borrowing limit so that more effective relief could be extended to disaster-hit families. Modi asked for a multi-dimensional view to be taken to get the entire region and people back on its feet. Recognising the critical need to support the agricultural community, additional assistance will be provided specifically targeted at farmers who currently lack power connections. Under the PM Awas Yojana, geotagging of damaged houses will be done. This will help in accurate damage assessment and faster delivery of aid to those affected. To ensure uninterrupted education, schools will be able to report and geotag damages, enabling timely assistance under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. The Centre has already sent inter-ministerial teams to Himachal Pradesh to assess the extent of damage, and based on their detailed report further assistance will be considered. Modi also met families who were affected by the calamity. He expressed his condolences to the kin of those who lost their lives in the monsoon season. He stated that the Union government will work closely with the state at this difficult time and extend all possible assistance. CM Sukhu expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for personally reviewing the disaster-affected areas and giving his valuable time. After the meeting on Tuesday, CM Sukhu in a post on X, said, "Today, we gave a presentation before the Prime Minister, in which we shared several important points regarding necessary reforms in the previous rules to assist disaster-affected families. Our initial estimate of the damage from the disaster so far is approximately Rs.5,000 crore, which could increase to Rs.10,000-12,000 crore. As immediate relief, the Prime Minister has announced assistance of Rs.1,500 crore. Now, it remains to be seen whether these Rs.1,500 crore will come under special relief package or remain scheme-based. We also demanded from the Prime Minister the construction of a tunnel-based road to Manali. We hope that the Prime Minister will also issue a special relief package in the interest of the disaster-affected families." PM Modi met one-year-old Nitika, whose parents and grandmother were swept away in a cloudburst on the night of June 30 in Mandi. Nitika's father, Ramesh Kumar, 31, was washed away in a cloudburst when he was outside the house trying to staunch the flow of water gushing inside their home. Nitika's mother Radha Devi, 24, and grandmother, Purnu Devi , 59, were also swept away when they went out to look for the infant's father. Former Himachal CM andleader of opposition Jai Ram Thakur thanked PM Modi for personally reviewing the damage caused due to monsoon in Himachal and for the financial assistance. Addressing the media after the PM's visit, Thakur said, "PM Modi not only visited Himachal Pradesh but also announced Rs.1,500 crore in financial aid before even returning to Delhi. Along with sharing our pain, he gave us courage and strength. The Prime Minister has always had a special bond with the state."...