Jammu, Aug 31: In a swift and coordinated response to the widespread devastation caused by intense monsoon activity, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), under the direction of Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah, has constituted Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCTs) for Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. These teams have been tasked with conducting on-the-ground assessments of the severe damage triggered by heavy rainfall, floods, flash floods, cloudbursts, and landslides across the region.
The IMCTs will visit the worst-affected districts early next week to conduct on-the-spot assessments of the damage and evaluate the relief and rehabilitation efforts undertaken by the respective state and UT governments. A Central team and a multi-sectoral delegation have already visited Himachal Pradesh.
Each team is being led by a senior officer of the rank of Joint Secretary from the Ministry of Home Affairs or the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), and comprises officials from key Union ministries and departments—including Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Jal Shakti, Road Transport & Highways, Power, Rural Development, and Expenditure.
The Ministry is maintaining continuous communication with senior officials of the affected states and the UT, extending all necessary logistical support to ensure a coordinated disaster response. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Indian Army, and Air Force helicopters have been deployed across multiple regions to assist in ongoing rescue efforts and the restoration of essential services.
This proactive approach aligns with the policy decision made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in August 2019, whereby Inter-Ministerial Central Teams are dispatched immediately after a severe natural disaster—without waiting for formal damage assessment reports from the states. Based on the IMCTs’ evaluations, the Central Government extends additional financial assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) in accordance with established procedures.
In terms of financial support, the Centre has significantly boosted funding to enable immediate relief efforts. During the current financial year 2025–26, ₹10,498.80 crore has been released to 24 states under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). Additionally, ₹1,988.91 crore has been provided from the NDRF to 12 states, ₹3,274.90 crore from the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) to 20 states, and ₹372.09 crore from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) to nine states.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Central Government has reiterated its firm commitment to supporting states affected by natural calamities, ensuring timely assistance and relief to those impacted by heavy monsoon events.
