In Kangra, Prime Minister Modi Meets One-Year-Old Nitika and 20 Other Survivors of Himachal’s Rain Disaster

Himachal Pradesh’s government has declared approximately 14-month-old Nitika as the “daughter of the state” and pledged to bear all her education and living expenses.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the flood-affected regions of Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday to assess the devastation caused by the monsoon and meet those who survived the calamity.

Among those he met was one-year-old Nitika, who lost her entire family in the cloudburst disaster in Mandi district, becoming a poignant symbol of the tragedy that struck the state earlier this year.

At the time of the disaster, Nitika was only 11 months old. On the night of June 30, a massive landslide swept through Talwara village in the Gohar area, taking the lives of her father Ramesh Kumar (31), mother Radha Devi (24), and grandmother Poonam Devi (59).

The three were attempting to clear mud from their home when they were caught in the deluge, unaware that a cloudburst had occurred in the higher reaches of the mountains. Miraculously, Nitika survived because she was asleep in the kitchen, the only part of the house spared by the landslide.

Now nearly 14 months old, Nitika has been officially declared the “daughter of the state” by the Himachal Pradesh government, which has committed to supporting her education and daily needs.

She is currently under the care of her maternal aunt, Kirna Devi. After the disaster, pictures of Nitika in the arms of Sub-Divisional Magistrate Smritika Negi went viral, prompting hundreds of people from across the country to express interest in adopting her.

In addition to meeting Nitika, the Prime Minister also interacted with 20 other individuals who lost their loved ones and homes due to the relentless monsoon rains that have wreaked havoc across the state since June 20.

Upon arriving at Gaggal Airport, Prime Minister Modi was welcomed by Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, and Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri. He is scheduled to hold a high-level meeting with the Chief Minister and senior officials, during which a detailed presentation on monsoon-related losses will be shared.

According to state estimates, Himachal Pradesh has suffered damages exceeding ₹4,500 crore. A total of 370 people have lost their lives, while 41 remain missing. The Public Works Department’s infrastructure, especially roads and bridges, has been the worst hit.

Since the onset of the monsoon, the state has recorded 136 landslides, 95 flash floods, and 45 cloudburst incidents, resulting in extensive damage to both public and private property.

Currently, 615 roads, including four national highways, remain closed. Additionally, 1,748 electricity transformers and 461 water supply schemes are still non-operational.