Himachal Pradesh Declared Disaster-Affected as Flash Floods and Landslides Cause Rs 3,056 Crore Damage.
Shimla:
The Himachal Pradesh government has officially declared the entire state as disaster-affected following widespread devastation caused by relentless cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides over recent weeks. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu confirmed that the state has suffered infrastructure losses exceeding Rs 3,056 crore, impacting key sectors such as transport, power, and water supply.
“The scale of destruction is unprecedented. Roads, bridges, power lines, and water supply schemes have all been severely hit,” said CM Sukhu, addressing the media after a high-level review meeting. The government is currently assessing the full extent of the damage and is preparing detailed reports to seek additional assistance from the Centre.
Among the most severely impacted areas is the Chamba district, where the annual Manimahesh Yatra has turned tragic. According to official reports, 16 pilgrims have lost their lives, with four bodies still trapped in Kugti village of Bharmour. Despite continued rescue efforts, incessant rainfall and harsh terrain are delaying the recovery operations. To expedite the process, the district administration has deployed 20 porters to help retrieve the remaining bodies.
CM Sukhu also addressed concerns regarding the evacuation of stranded pilgrims. “There is no discrepancy in the figures being reported. Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri has already informed the Assembly that 3,257 pilgrims were safely brought from Manimahesh to Bharmour,” Sukhu clarified.
He further added that out of the estimated 15,000 pilgrims stranded during the Yatra, over 10,000 have been safely evacuated and transported to their homes using Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses, free of cost.
The state government has issued alerts in vulnerable regions and is coordinating with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Army, and local agencies to continue relief and rescue operations.
The declaration of the state as “disaster-affected” will pave the way for increased funding, faster aid disbursement, and greater logistical support from central agencies in the coming weeks.
