Himachal floods: Three central govt teams to access losses in state
Shimla, July 18: Three central government teams will be visiting Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday to assess the flood situation and evaluate the losses in the state, state Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi said.
"On Wednesday, three central government teams are reaching Chandigarh; they will be visiting Mandi, Kullu and Rohru areas of Shimla district. I want to thank my secretary, Revenue, and his team, who worked hard in this disaster situation. He will take care and coordinate with the team. So far, we have assessed an estimated loss of over Rs 4,500 crore. The central teams will evaluate it further. Losses may increase further," he said.
Speaking about the dire situation in his state, the minister said, "Even today, there was snowfall. Tribal shepherds and locals are still stranded. I have directed the ADM, Lahaul, to open the roads."
Jagat Singh Negi, who led the rescue operation to evacuate the tourists from the Chandra Taal area of Lahaul-Spiti district, said the operation was challenging.
The Himachal Revenue Minister said the roads were damaged in most places and restoration work would take time. However, work was being done on a war footing. They were making all efforts to restore water supply, electricity and road infrastructure.
"As per the latest reports and field assessment, we have seen several long lengths of roads washed away in Manali and Kullu area. We are trying to restore them as soon as possible. It will take time," he said.
Negi further said, "Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has decided and notified today that Rs 1 lakh additional will be given to those whose houses have been damaged owing to the rains. This would be in addition to the NDRF and State Disaster Manual. It is being notified that Rs 50,000 additionally would be given for partially damaged houses and Rs 6,000 would be given to those who have lost each of their livestock."
As per the state Disaster Management Authority data, in the past 24 days, rains and floods have claimed 122 lives since the onset of the monsoon on June 24 in Himachal Pradesh.
Till now, 12 persons are missing and 140 people had been injured. In Himachal Pradesh, nearly 500 houses have been damaged, besides 4,643 houses that have been partially damaged. At least 133 shops have been damaged in the state while 1,008 cow sheds have been damaged due to rain and floods. Loss of over 1,000 livestock has also been reported. There have been 56 incidents of landslides in the state, besides 43 incidents of flash floods. However, only one incident of cloudburst was reported in the state till now.
- ANI
