PM Modi dinner with NDA MPs called off amid floods across states

NDA MPs' dinners to be hosted by BJP president JP Nadda on Saturday followed by PM Modi next day ahead of the vice presidential polls have been cancelled in view of the devastation caused by floods in Punjab and other areas in the country.

The dinner at PM residence was scheduled a day before V-P elections on Sept 9. However, it has been cancelled due to the devastation caused by flooding in many states of the country, especially in northern India. Modi is likely to visit the flood-affected areas.

Earlier, President Droupadi Murmu expressed deep anguish over the devastation caused by heavy rains, cloudbursts and floods across north India, saying the monsoon fury has left behind a trail of "death and destruction" in several states. "I have been deeply anguished every time I have come to know about natural calamities during the monsoon this year. Cloudbursts in the hills and floods in the plains have taken a heavy toll, leaving death and destruction in their wake in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Assam and many other parts of the country," Murmu said in a post on X.

She extended solidarity with those affected and praised officials engaged in rescue and relief efforts. "The nation shares the sorrow of the people affected by calamities and is with them in this crisis. I commend the spirit of those involved in the rescue and relief operations. Together we will overcome this challenge."