Himachal rain fury: The Himachal Pradesh administration has designated the devastation caused by torrential rains a state catastrophe. In reaction to the significant loss of human life and property caused by the downpours, a notification issued on Friday declares the entire hill state a “natural calamity affected area.”
Earlier in the day, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu told PTI that the state government had decided to declare the massive damage caused by heavy rains a state calamity. Furthermore, the state is expecting a decision from the Central government about the declaration of the Himachal Pradesh tragedy as a national calamity.
In an interview with PTI, Principal Secretary (Revenue) Onkar Chand Sharma revealed preparations for a complete assessment of the losses once weather conditions improve and access is restored. To help recovery and reconstruction operations, a complete report on the incurred losses would be provided to the Central government.
Meanwhile, the death toll in rain-soaked Himachal Pradesh has risen to 77, with three additional remains recovered from the rubble of a Shiv temple in Summer Hill. According to Shimla SP Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi, 23 of these deaths occurred in three large landslides in Shimla alone, notably at the Shiva temple in Summer Hill, as well as in Fagli and Krishnanagar. The temple wreckage may yet contain four people, who are believed to be buried beneath the rubble.
Heavy rains have drenched the hill state since Sunday, causing landslides in several districts, including Shimla. The chief minister emphasised the ongoing rescue operations and the state government’s efforts to assist impacted families, particularly those who have suffered house damage as a result of the flash floods and landslides, using its own resources.
Sukhu emphasised the importance of prompt help from the Centre. He stated that Himachal Pradesh has suffered a loss of Rs 10,000 crore.
With the arrival of the monsoon on June 24, the hill state saw 220 people killed in rain-related incidents. According to the state’s emergency operations centre, 11,637 dwellings were either partially or entirely damaged. Over 600 highways are currently closed, with Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh predicting the reopening of 550 roads within the next three days. In addition, 408 transformers and 149 water supply schemes have been affected.
In recent days, 2,074 people have been evacuated from Kangra district’s flooded areas. Sukhu earlier anticipated that rebuilding the infrastructure devastated by this monsoon’s severe rains would take a year.
To aid recovery efforts, the state government has made it easier to use the MLA local area development fund. This cash, worth Rs 2.10 crore per year, can now be used by MLAs for initiatives such as retaining wall building and drain channelization.
