Himachal Pradesh Floods: CM Sukhu Says State Suffered Losses Of Rs 8,000 Crore, Central Govt Relief Asked

The monsoon in Himachal Pradesh has cost the lives of 154 people and completely damaged 592 houses since its onset on June 24. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the state has suffered a loss of Rs 8,000 crore so far and asked for the state's disaster compensation for the Centre which is allegedly withheld for past few years.

Outlook Web Desk

Updated on: 23 July 2023 9:19 am

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu visits flood-affected areas, in Manali.

Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the flash floods in the state due to heavy rain over the last couple of weeks have incurred losses of around Rs 8,000 crore and he mentioned that there is a need for immediate financial help from the central government.

The destruction faced by Himachal Pradesh due to rain and flood has been one of the harshest in the past 75 years.

Pending disaster compensation

According to reports, the chief minister said the state's disaster compensation worth Rs 315.8 crore has been withheld for the past few years.

Sukhu told the media, "The central team has visited the state. We have demanded the pending 315 crore rupees of the 2022-23 disaster fund from the union government. The loss is estimated to be 8,000 crore rupees. We are trying to restore the roads, electricity and water supply in the region."

The delay was attributed to objections raised by the Accountant General, which the state government has successfully resolved through persistent efforts, Sukhu said in a statement issued in Shimla.

The pending funds include Rs 121.71 crore allocated for 2020-21, Rs 133.56 crore for 2021-22 under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and Rs 61.07 crore for 2019-20 under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), the statement added.

Stating that all objections have been cleared now, the chief minister urged that the funds be released at the earliest as the hill state is witnessing severe devastation caused by incessant rains and flash floods in the ongoing monsoon season.

Sukhu said that the requested amount, if released promptly, will play a crucial role in assisting the state's recovery efforts and providing much-needed relief to those affected by the recent disaster.

The Himachal Pradesh government remains hopeful that the Union government will heed the state's call and extend support during this challenging time, the statement added.

Former CM Jairam Thakur visited the flood-hit areas of the state and also met Union Minister Amit Shah to speak about the situation and ask for help. Sukhu claimed that Thakur is politicising the disaster situation and requested all parties in the state to come together and seek relief funds for the state.

Sukhu reportedly said, "It is not right to say that the disaster relief money has been given by the union government. I don't want to answer Jai Ram Thakur. He is doing politics on it. But I would request him that we should go all together with all parties to get the first instalment of disaster relief to Himachal Pradesh."The delay was attributed to objections raised by the Accountant General, which the state government has successfully resolved through persistent efforts, Sukhu said in a statement issued here.

Kullu Flood Relief

Kullu Deputy Commissioner of Police Ashutosh Garg said that a relief amount of Rs 5 crore was provided to the flood-affected people in the district.

Garg told the media, "People who are affected by the heavy rainfall in the Kullu district are being provided with a relief amount by the government. People whose sources of income were affected along with their houses and shops are being procured the relief amount. Till now, 1,700 families have been affected by the floods. Most of the families were provided with ₹five crores of relief amount."

What is the IMD saying?

On Sunday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert and predicted heavy rainfall in eight districts of Himachal Pradesh along with thatthey also mentioned that many areas of the state including the Sirmaur district received heavy rainfall in the last 24 hours.

According to the reports, IMD deputy director Bui Lal said, "Many areas of Himachal Pradesh have received heavy rainfall in the last 24 hours, with Sirmaur district receiving 195 mm of rainfall. In the next 24 hours, the IMD has issued an Orange alert with heavy rainfall expected in Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur and Bilaspur districts."

Reportedly, the state disaster management authority has revealed that 154 lives have been lost during the current monsoon season in Himachal Pradesh which started on June 24, it also left 15 people missing and 187 others injured.

Complete damage to 592 houses and partial damage to 5265 houses is recorded so far reportedly.