CM Sukhu Reviews Rain Havoc in Himachal; Orders Immediate Relief and Restoration Measures.
Shimla:
In the wake of devastating rainfall across Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu convened a high-level meeting in Shimla today to assess the extensive damage caused over the past 48 hours. Expressing deep concern over the loss of human lives and widespread destruction of property, the Chief Minister directed all concerned departments to initiate swift relief, rescue, and restoration efforts to safeguard the well-being of affected residents.
During the meeting, CM Sukhu revealed that torrential rains over the last two days have claimed five lives—three in Nihari and two in the Pandoh Mohal Suma area of Mandi district. Two more individuals remain missing. The Chief Minister highlighted the alarming increase in rainfall, with the state witnessing 136% excess precipitation in September alone, and a 45% surge throughout the ongoing monsoon season.
“This monsoon has brought unprecedented destruction to the State. So far, 417 lives have been lost, 45 individuals are still missing, and damages amounting to Rs. 4,582 crore have been recorded due to landslides, flash floods, and cloudbursts,” said CM Sukhu.
The Chief Minister further informed that 15,022 structural damages have been reported this monsoon season, including 1,502 homes fully destroyed, 6,467 partially damaged, 6,316 damaged cowsheds, and 594 shops.
Priority Relief Measures Ordered
CM Sukhu directed all Deputy Commissioners to remain on high alert and conduct field visits to oversee relief and rescue operations. He instructed the Public Works Department (PWD) to expedite the restoration of road connectivity, especially in apple-producing areas, to prevent financial losses for fruit growers. The Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (HPMC) has been asked to deploy additional transport vehicles to ensure timely movement of apples from collection centers to markets.
The Chief Minister also emphasized the urgent restoration of essential services like electricity, water supply, and healthcare facilities in the affected areas. “The safety and security of the people of Himachal Pradesh is the government’s topmost priority,” he asserted.
Special Relief Package Announced
Under the State Government’s Special Relief Package, financial aid of Rs. 10,000 in urban areas and Rs. 5,000 in rural areas will be provided as rent to those rendered homeless due to the disaster. The government is also considering relaxing the requirement of staying in relief camps to be eligible for the rental assistance—an effort aimed at accommodating more people while respecting the State’s unique social and cultural dynamics.
Additionally, CM Sukhu directed officials to immediately relocate individuals still living in structurally unsafe buildings to safer locations to prevent further loss of life.
Senior Officials Participate in the Meeting
The review meeting was attended by Education Minister Rohit Thakur, Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania, MLA Hardeep Bawa, CM’s Principal Advisor (IT and Innovation) Gokul Butail, Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, Additional Chief Secretary Revenue K.K. Pant, CM’s Secretary Rakesh Kanwar, and ADGP Satwant Atwal Trivedi, among others. Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police, and district-level officials joined the meeting virtually.
The Chief Minister concluded by reaffirming the State Government’s commitment to providing all necessary support to those affected and restoring normalcy at the earliest.
