Central team reviews Himachal disaster damage, assesses losses in six districts
A seven-member central team assesses damage across six Himachal districts to recommend relief and recovery assistance to the Government of India.
A seven-member Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) has concluded an extensive assessment of the destruction caused by recent natural disasters across Himachal Pradesh. The team, led by M. Ramachandrudu, Joint Secretary of Disaster Management, visited several heavily affected areas to evaluate the scale of damage and determine the state's requirements for relief and reconstruction assistance.
On-ground assessment across six districts
The assessment, which began on September 28, involved detailed field visits to multiple disaster-hit locations. The team covered several key districts, including:
- Chamba
- Kangra
- Mandi
- Kullu
- Shimla
- Solan
During the visit, the team interacted directly with affected communities and local representatives to understand the ground reality of the devastation. Himachal Pradesh Special Secretary of Disaster Management, Pushpendra Rana, noted that officials from various departments accompanied the team to ensure losses were assessed accurately on the spot.
Extent of the devastation
The scale of the damage reported is significant, impacting both infrastructure and livelihoods. M. Ramachandrudu highlighted that the most critical damage has been observed in:
- Road networks
- Water supply schemes
- Residential houses
- Agricultural and horticulture crops
- Livestock and fisheries
The current memorandum submitted by the state estimates the total losses at approximately Rs 3,400 crore. The central team is currently reviewing these proposals and the estimated damages to prepare a formal recommendation for the Central Government.
Composition of the IMCT
The seven-member team is composed of experts representing diverse sectors essential for recovery planning. The members include representatives from:
- Finance
- Rural Development
- Roads
- Jal Shakti
- Agriculture
- National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC)
The team's final report will be based on the examination of the state's final memorandum and will follow the norms prescribed by the Government of India to determine the appropriate level of assistance for relief, recovery, and reconstruction.