Himachal Monsoon Damage Crosses Rs 3,220 Crore; 373 Dead
Himachal Pradesh faces massive losses of Rs 3,220 crore and 373 deaths during the monsoon. A central team begins a 4-day damage assessment.
The monsoon season has left a trail of devastation across Himachal Pradesh, with cumulative losses now estimated at over Rs 3,220 crore. According to the latest disaster data, the 91-day monsoon period—spanning from June 30 to September 28—has claimed 373 lives, marking a catastrophic period for the hill state.
Central Team Begins On-Site Assessment
To address the massive scale of destruction, a seven-member Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) arrived in the state on Monday. Led by M Ramachandrudu, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, the team is undertaking a four-day field assessment to evaluate the impact of cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides.
The assessment, which runs from September 28 to October 1, is crucial for determining financial assistance. The findings will contribute to the state's claim under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), while State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) aid is handled separately.
The Human Toll and Infrastructure Losses
The human cost of the monsoon has been devastating. Out of the 373 fatalities recorded:
- 152 deaths were directly caused by natural disasters, including flash floods, landslides, drowning, snake bites, and falls from steep terrain.
- 221 deaths occurred due to road accidents during the monsoon period.
Beyond the loss of life, the weather conditions have caused significant physical damage:
- 623 people sustained injuries.
- 162 individuals were reported missing.
- Over 1,400 houses were either partially or fully destroyed.
- 581 animals lost their lives.
Severe Impact on Public Utilities
Public infrastructure has borne the brunt of the heavy rains. Major losses have been reported by the Public Works Department, the Jal Shakti Vibhag, and the Power Department. Additionally, educational and health facilities, along with rural infrastructure, have suffered significant damage.
As of late September, the state continues to deal with ongoing logistical challenges, including 61 blocked roads and 49 distribution transformer (DTR) stations currently undergoing restoration efforts.
The Central Team's Itinerary
The IMCT's visit will follow a rigorous schedule to ensure all affected regions are inspected:
- September 28: Inspection of disaster-hit areas in Kangra, specifically the Boh Valley in Shahpur.
- September 29: Visit to the Sainj area of Kullu.
- September 30: Field inspection in Banjar and a meeting with the Chief Secretary and senior officials in Shimla.
- October 1: A meeting with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and inspections in Shimla, Kasauli, and Parwanoo before departure.
The state government has already submitted a formal memorandum seeking approximately Rs 3,200 crore in assistance to help rebuild the state following this unprecedented monsoon season.