DisasterRelief – Centre Approves ₹1,912 Crore Aid for Six Disaster-Hit Regions
DisasterRelief – The Union government has sanctioned additional financial assistance totaling ₹1,912.99 crore to help several states and one Union Territory recover from natural disasters experienced in 2025. The decision was taken by a high-level committee led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, aimed at supporting regions that faced severe damage due to floods, flash floods, landslides, cloudbursts and a cyclone.
Central assistance allocated through disaster response fund
According to an official statement issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the approved financial package will be distributed among six affected regions: Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The funds will be provided through the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), a central mechanism designed to assist states during major natural calamities.
However, the allocation will take into account an adjustment related to the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). Specifically, half of the opening balance available with each state under the SDRF for the current financial year will be considered when releasing the new funds.
Distribution of funds among affected states
The government has outlined the exact financial support each region will receive based on damage assessments and relief requirements.
Gujarat will receive the largest share of the assistance, amounting to ₹778.67 crore. Andhra Pradesh has been allocated ₹341.48 crore to support its recovery efforts. Jammu and Kashmir will receive ₹330.34 crore, while Himachal Pradesh has been sanctioned ₹288.39 crore.
In addition, Nagaland has been granted ₹158.41 crore to address the impact of natural disasters in the state. Chhattisgarh will receive ₹15.70 crore under the approved package.
Officials explained that the distribution reflects the severity of damage reported in each region and the scale of reconstruction needed.
Support beyond regular disaster response funding
The Ministry of Home Affairs clarified that the newly approved assistance is separate from the routine disaster management funds already provided to states.
Each year, the central government releases financial support to states through the State Disaster Response Fund, which serves as the first line of financial assistance during emergencies. The newly approved package from the National Disaster Response Fund is intended to supplement those existing allocations when the damage caused by disasters exceeds the available resources.
Large-scale disaster funding released during current financial year
Government data shows that significant funds have already been distributed across the country for disaster management during the ongoing financial year 2025–26.
A total of ₹20,735.20 crore has been released to 28 states under the State Disaster Response Fund. Additionally, ₹3,628.18 crore has been sanctioned to 21 states through the National Disaster Response Fund.
Apart from these relief funds, the central government has also released ₹5,373.20 crore to 23 states under the State Disaster Mitigation Fund. Another ₹1,189.56 crore has been allocated to 21 states through the National Disaster Mitigation Fund, which focuses on long-term measures aimed at reducing the impact of natural disasters.
Andhra Pradesh earlier sought assistance after cyclone damage
The issue of disaster-related losses in Andhra Pradesh had been raised earlier with the central government. In December last year, state ministers Nara Lokesh and Vangalapudi Anitha met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi to present a detailed report on the destruction caused by Cyclone Montha.
According to the state government’s assessment, the cyclone resulted in losses estimated at ₹6,352 crore. The disaster affected 3,109 villages across multiple districts and caused widespread damage to roads, housing and public infrastructure.
Authorities in the state had evacuated approximately 1.92 lakh residents to temporary relief camps as a precautionary measure during the cyclone. Following the assessment, the state requested urgent financial support from the Centre to help restore damaged infrastructure and rebuild affected communities.
Officials say the newly approved assistance is expected to strengthen recovery operations and help the affected regions restore essential services more quickly.