The incessant rains in Himachal Pradesh have unleashed havoc, resulting in the tragic loss of over 70 lives in recent days. In response to this devastating situation, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s government has officially declared the entire state as a “natural calamity affected area.” This declaration comes in the wake of widespread destruction caused by incessant rains, including flash floods, cloudbursts, landslides, and slope failures, causing significant damage to both lives and property.
Statewide Declaration Due to Unprecedented Rainfall
- Himachal Pradesh’s government takes the drastic step of declaring the entire state as a “natural calamity affected area” in light of the ongoing monsoon season.
- The statement emphasizes the substantial loss of human lives and extensive damage to public and private property due to incessant rains, which have triggered floods, cloudbursts, landslides, and slope failures.
A State in Crisis
- The declaration acknowledges the exceptional levels of precipitation, posing numerous challenges to the daily lives of the state’s residents.
- The region has experienced a relentless downpour over the past few days, resulting in over 113 landslides in the span of 55 days.
- The Public Works Department (PWD) of Himachal Pradesh has incurred losses estimated at ₹2,491 crore, while the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has reported losses of approximately ₹1,000 crore.
Rising Casualty Numbers
- The death toll attributed to landslides and cloudbursts has surged past 75 in just four days, with the state capital, Shimla, being severely affected.
- Central teams have conducted assessments of the affected areas to determine the extent of the losses.
- Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stresses the urgent need for assistance from the Central Government, with a total loss projection exceeding ₹10,000 crore since June 2023.
Impact on Lives and Property
- Since June 24, at least 217 lives have been lost, and approximately 11,301 houses have been destroyed in rain-related incidents.
- The Chief Minister has called upon the four Members of Parliament from Himachal Pradesh to raise the state’s dire situation in Delhi.
Himachal Pradesh’s Request for Central Assistance
- Chief Minister Sukhu has declared Himachal Pradesh a “Natural Calamity Affected Area” in light of the extensive loss of life and property resulting from incessant rains, landslides, and floods.
- The state has witnessed the loss of around 330 lives and damage to over 12,000 houses, amounting to a staggering ₹10,000 crore in losses.
- Critical infrastructure, including roads, water and power supply systems, agriculture, horticulture sectors, and communication systems, has been severely impacted.
Himachal Pradesh is facing an unprecedented natural calamity, with heavy rains wreaking havoc on the state’s residents and infrastructure. The declaration of the entire state as a “natural calamity affected area” underscores the gravity of the situation. With mounting casualties, extensive property damage, and severe disruption to daily life, the Himachal Pradesh government is urgently seeking assistance from the Central Government to address this crisis and provide immediate relief to those affected. The road to recovery will be long and challenging, but concerted efforts are underway to mitigate the damage and support the affected communities.