The Himachal Pradesh government on Monday advised residents and tourists to avoid unnecessary travel during the monsoon season and follow official weather warnings. The state is dealing with several rain-related incidents, including cloudbursts, flash floods and landslides, which have caused extensive damage to infrastructure.
Pushpendra Rana, Special Secretary, Disaster Management, Himachal Pradesh, said the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) and the disaster management teams are working round the clock to respond to emergencies and reduce the loss of life.
"We have seen several tragic incidents during this monsoon. One of the most painful incidents involved 13 people who were travelling when they were caught in a disaster. Similar incidents were reported in Kangra and other parts of the state, resulting in considerable loss of life and property," Rana said.
He said the latest data showed that Himachal Pradesh had witnessed nine cloudburst incidents and around 19 flash floods. Four locations have been badly affected by cloudbursts. More than 120 roads are also disrupted due to heavy rain and landslides. Several drinking water schemes have also been affected.
Rana said around 15 to 16 people had died during the current monsoon season. He said the government's top priority was to prevent further loss of life.
Appealing to residents and tourists, he urged them to avoid unnecessary travel during bad weather and follow advisories issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the State Disaster Management Authority.
He said the government was carrying out a detailed assessment of the damage. The process will take some time as officials need to assess the recovery work and prepare estimates for reconstruction.
"Our initial assessment suggests that the monsoon has caused damage worth nearly ₹800 crore to ₹1,000 crore across Himachal Pradesh. A detailed survey is underway, after which a comprehensive memorandum will be prepared. We will seek financial assistance through the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), central government support and other available funding sources," he said.
The Special Secretary said disaster response teams, including SDRF personnel and district administrations, had been put on high alert across the state. Emergency Operations Centres at the state and district levels are working 24x7 to track the situation and coordinate relief efforts.
"The entire disaster management system has been activated. We are monitoring the situation continuously. Whenever an incident is reported, immediate action is taken. All field officers have been directed to respond quickly, inform the concerned District Magistrates and ensure that affected people receive the required assistance without delay," Dr Rana said.
He said district administrations had also been asked to provide all possible help to people affected by rain-related disasters. They have also been directed to ensure timely rescue operations, relief measures and restoration of essential services.
The state government has repeatedly urged people to stay alert during heavy rainfall. Residents and tourists have been advised to avoid rivers, streams and landslide-prone areas and keep track of official weather updates and disaster advisories as the monsoon remains active across Himachal Pradesh.
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