Himachal Pradesh CM Reviews Heavy Rain Damage, Pushes for Quick Relief
In Shimla, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu held a key meeting to tackle the widespread destruction from heavy rains that battered the state over the past 48 hours. He voiced serious worries about the lives lost and property damage, urging officials to act fast and protect those hit hardest by the floods and landslides.
The toll from the recent downpours is heartbreaking. Five people have died in the last two days—three in Nihari and two near Pandoh Mohal Suma in Mandi district’s Sadar sub-division. Two others remain missing, as per official reports.
This September has been unusually wet, with rainfall exceeding normal levels by 136 percent. For the entire monsoon season so far, the state saw 45 percent extra rain. Sadly, the heavy rains, cloudbursts, and landslides have claimed 417 lives this season, with 45 people still unaccounted for. The damage adds up to a whopping Rs 4,582 crore.
Infrastructure has taken a big hit too. Officials reported 15,022 structural damages, including 1,502 fully destroyed houses, 6,467 partially damaged homes, 6,316 affected cowsheds, and 594 shops ruined by the monsoon fury.
CM Sukhu didn’t hold back on instructions. He told all Deputy Commissioners to stay alert, visit affected areas right away, and lead relief and rescue efforts on the ground. For the Public Works Department (PWD), he stressed restoring road connectivity as soon as possible, especially in apple-growing regions. "We can’t let fruit farmers suffer losses—their produce must reach markets on time," he emphasized.
He also pushed for quick fixes to restore electricity, water supply, and other essentials in the rain-hit zones. To help apple growers, the Himachal Pradesh Marketing Corporation (HPMC) got orders to add more vehicles for transporting fruits from collection centers.
People’s safety tops the government’s list, the CM assured. Under a special relief package, the state offers Rs 10,000 as rent in urban areas and Rs 5,000 in rural spots for those left homeless by the disasters. Sukhu mentioned plans to ease rules for relief camp stays, making aid accessible to more families while respecting local customs. He added that anyone in unsafe buildings needs immediate relocation to safer spots.
The meeting in Shimla included Education Minister Rohit Thakur, Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania, MLA Hardeep Bawa, Chief Minister’s Principal Advisor Gokul Butail, Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, Additional Chief Secretary Revenue K.K. Pant, Chief Minister Secretary Rakesh Kanwar, ADGP Satwant Atwal Trivedi, and other top officials. Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police, and district seniors joined virtually from across Himachal Pradesh.
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