Himachal Pradesh Has Suffered Huge Losses, Centre To Make All Efforts To Rehibilitate Displaced: BJP President JP Nadda

Since last Sunday, at least 78 people have died in rain-related incidents in Himachal Pradesh. Of the 78 dead, 24 died in three landslides in state capital Shimla.

Outlook Web Desk

Updated on: 20 August 2023 10:04 am

BJP President JP Nadda visiting rain-hit areas of Himachal Pradesh.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President JP Nadda on Sunday said Himachal Pradesh has suffered huge losses from heavy rainfall and the Centre would make all efforts to rehabilitate the displaced persons in the state.

Since last Sunday, at least 78 people have died in rain-related incidents in Himachal. Last Sunday alone, 51 deaths were reported and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sikh Sukhu said the death and devastation from the rains was unheard of in the state's history. Of the 78 dead, 24 died in three landslides in state capital Shimla.

Nadda, who was elected to Rajya Sabha from Himachal, said that three senior BJP leaders are touring the state to take stock of the situation. The three leaders are Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur, former CM Jairam Thakur and Himachal BJP President Rajiv Bindal.

Nadda, who began his tour of rains-hit Himachal from Paonta Sahib in Sirmaur, told media, "I am pained to see the devastation and loss of human lives and assure all help for rehabilitation of displaced persons...Himachal has suffered huge losses and the Union government is seriously concerned about the situation. Efforts are afoot by the administration to provide relief and take up restoration and rehabilitation works. Central help would continue to pour in and all the displaced persons would be rehabilitated."

Later, Nadda visited the Shiv Mandir in Shimla's Summer Hill which was damaged following a massive landslide on August 14 and also Krishnanagar, which was also hit by a landslide that destroyed several houses and a slaughterhouse. In Shimla, at least 17 have died at Shiv Mandir, five in Fagli landslide, and two in Krishnanagar.

Since the onset of the monsoon in Himachal on June 24, 338 people have died in rain-related incidents and road accidents in the state while 38 people are missing, according to the state emergency operation centre. Of the 338 deaths, 221 people have died in rain-related incidents," reported PTI.

The Sukhu government in Himachal declared the state a "Natural Calamity Affected Area" in view of the devastation from heavy rains and loss of human life and extensive damage to property. The state government also urged the Centre to declare the state's tragedy as a national disaster.