Prime Minister Narendra Modi left on a day-long visit to Jammu and Kashmir this morning. Mr Modi will first go to Siachen to spend some time with soldiers. From Siachen, the Prime MInister will go to Srinagar to spend Diwali with the people affected by the last month's flood. He may announce a special package for flood affected people during his visit. Mr Modi is likely to meet delegations from various sections of the society at Raj Bhavan in Srinagar.

Ahead of his visit, an inter-ministerial team, comprising representatives from various ministries, are in the state to assess the damage caused by the flood. The delegation includes officials from the ministries of Home, Finance, Agriculture and Rural Development. They met the state government officials and affected people to collate information about the damage caused to dwellings, crops, livestock, roads, bridges, embankments and other government properties.

Floods have resulted in the loss of 285 lives and affected around 3.5 lakh houses, of which 95,000 have collapsed, according to official estimates. Mr Modi has already announced 1,000 crore rupees for relief and rehabilitation of the state and promised to do whatever else the government can. Omar Abdullah government has urged for a 44,000 crore rupees special package for rehabilitation of the flood-affected people.