Himachal rain catastrophe: Union Government inter-ministerial team to visit tomorrow
Shimla, July 17
Following the devastating torrential rain that caused widespread destruction and claimed over 55 lives, Himachal Pradesh has yet to receive significant relief and assistance from the central government. In response to this situation, an inter-ministerial team from the Union Government is expected to visit the state from July 18. The team will assess the areas affected by floods, flash floods, cloud bursts, and landslides.
The State Government has appointed a nodal officer to facilitate the central team’s visit from July 18 to 22, as confirmed by Chief Secretary Parbhodh Saxena in a communique released today.
It is important to note that the state has suffered an estimated loss of Rs 4417 crore. The calamity resulted in the unfortunate loss of 118 lives, 350 livestock, and extensive damage to infrastructure, including 1500 roads, four-lane sections of the Bilaspur Manali and Kalka-Solan highways, 16 bridges, 900 houses, and 350 cowsheds.
The State Government has appealed to the Central Government for assistance, as the devastation is beyond the state’s capacity for repair. The government estimates that it will take approximately one year to normalize the situation.
Also read:Rainfall of the century: Many areas of Himachal Pradesh set new record
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu informed the media on Saturday that the state has received an initial advance installment of Rs 186.5 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). However, this amount was allocated under the central contingency plans.
Sukhu further stated that the government has released Rs 50 crore to procure heavy machinery for the Public Works Department in response to the disaster caused by the torrential rain.
While the state government successfully conducted the safe rescue of 75,000 tourists from Himachal Pradesh, the damage to roads, water supply schemes, power supply systems, and private and public properties is extensive. In just five days of monsoon fury from July 7 to 10, the government’s estimated losses increased by Rs 700 crore to reach Rs 4417 crore.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued alerts for moderate to heavy rain at one or two places in Bilaspur, Chamba, Hamirpur, Kangra, Kinnaur, Kullu, Lahaul Spiti, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur, Solan, and Una in the next three hours.
Currently, Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Una, Bilaspur, Solan, Hamirpur, and Bilaspur districts are under a red alert.
