Himachal Min says restoration ongoing, pegs losses at ₹4,500 cr; calls PM’s ₹1,500 cr relief ‘too little’
(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
Himachal Pradesh Faces Ongoing Flood Chaos: Roads Blocked, Power Out, and Relief Too Low
Shimla, Himachal Pradesh – Even as teams work round the clock to fix the damage from this year’s brutal monsoon and floods, many roads and essential services in Himachal Pradesh stay disrupted. Revenue, Tribal Development, and Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi shared these concerns on Friday, highlighting the tough road to recovery.
Negi pointed out that the state has already clocked losses of ₹4,500 crore from the devastating floods and heavy rains. But he called the ₹1,500 crore relief package announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi "way too small" to handle the scale of destruction. "Restoration efforts are on at full speed, but rains keep pouring, keeping roads blocked and utilities offline," he told .
The minister revealed stark numbers: 583 link roads and three national highways remain closed due to the Himachal Pradesh floods. On top of that, 806 electricity distribution transformers aren’t working, and 364 water supply schemes are still down. These disruptions hit daily life hard in the hilly state.
Tragically, the toll from the monsoon disaster stands at 215 lives lost directly to floods and rains. Add 165 deaths from rain-related road accidents, and the total rises to 380. Rescue teams jumped into action where needed, saving stranded tourists during the Manimahesh Yatra in Chamba and in Lahaul-Spiti. "We got them to safety despite the blocked paths," Negi said.
In some spots, small vehicles can now squeeze through after partial fixes, but heavy trucks and buses face restrictions at several points. Rebuilding in the mountains isn’t cheap – Negi explained that road construction here costs 20 to 30 times more than in flat plains because of the steep terrain and tough cutting work.
Looking back, Negi recalled the 2010 floods when central teams estimated ₹10,000 crore in damages, but Himachal got just ₹2,000 crore – and the state had to chip in ₹500 crore itself. "Now, with ₹1,500 crore announced, it’s tied to specific schemes, not free funds. This isn’t enough for a tragedy this big," he urged, pushing for updated disaster relief rules that better suit vulnerable hilly areas like Himachal Pradesh.
The weather isn’t helping either. With the India Meteorological Department issuing a yellow alert for more rain, conditions stay risky. "Rains continue, and normalcy is far off in many places," Negi added, as the state battles this ongoing monsoon crisis.
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