Calamity-hit Mandi saw 123 per cent excess rains, says Himachal CM
He said that 19 cloud bursts occurred since the onset of the monsoon, causing significant losses to human lives and properties. Chairing the ninth meeting of the State Disaster Management Authority here, the Chief Minister said disasters pose the biggest challenges and combating the adverse effects of climate change is a pressing concern for humanity. He said the issue of rising cloud bursts in the state would be raised with the Union Home Minister.
'The state government is making all-out efforts to rehabilitate and provide relief to the affected families.' He said that unscientific muck dumping is leading to damage and stressed on a scientific mechanism for its disposal to prevent further damage.
Sukhu directed the SDMA to issue regular weather updates to the public and to counter misinformation circulating on social media. He said the SDMA was the sole authority to issue alerts and urged the people to rely only on the official information. He said safe construction activities should be promoted, and people must construct their houses at least 100 metres away from the rivers and rivulets.
The Chief Minister said the government was strengthening the SDRF and a new campus was being set up at Palampur in Kangra district. The State Institute of Disaster Management would be established at Dr Manmohan Singh Himachal Institute of Public Administration in Shimla, while Himachal Pradesh University in Shimla would carry out research and development work. He also directed the university to conduct a study on high-risk glacial lakes and include the local community to raise awareness.
He said disasters have now become frequent phenomena, and in 2023, Himachal Pradesh suffered significant losses during the monsoon season, affecting thousands of people. He said Rs 1,260 crore were disbursed to the district administrations and various departments for carrying out relief and rehabilitation operations. Additionally, Rs 138 crore were also provided under the mitigation fund.
The Chief Minister directed the government departments to set up their projects at least 100 metres away from the water streams to minimise the losses. He said Rs 891 crore disaster risk reduction project was being implemented under which strengthening of the HPSDMA and the DDMAs would be done along with fortifying disaster preparedness through an effective early warning system and supporting mitigation measures, which would be completed in March 2030.
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Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
Himachal CM directs officials to conduct study on high-risk glacial lakes
Shimla: In view of massive destruction caused by the recent cloudburst and flash floods in Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday directed officials to conduct a study on high-risk glacial lakes and promote safe construction activities. Sukhu has directed the government departments to set up their projects at least 100 meters away from the water streams to minimize the losses. The CM also emphasised on promoting safe construction activities by encouraging people to build their houses at least 100 meters away from rivers and rivulets, according to an official statement. Natural disasters pose the biggest challenges for the future and combating the adverse effects of climate change was a pressing concern for humanity, he said while presiding over the 9th meeting of the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). Expressing concern over the rising incidents of cloudbursts, Sukhu said the present state government was making all-out efforts to rehabilitate and provide relief to the affected families. CM Sukhu said 19 cloudbursts have claimed 14 lives in the state during the ongoing monsoon season, causing significant losses to human lives and properties. Concern about rising incidents of cloudbursts was also taken up with the Union Home Minister Amit Shah, he said. According to the State Emergency Operation Centre, 10 cloudbursts in Mandi district on the intervening night of June 30 and July 1 claimed 14 lives. Meanwhile, eight people died in 23 flashfloods and one casualty was reported in 16 landslides in the state while eight died by drowning. He said disasters had now become frequent phenomena and in 2023, Himachal Pradesh suffered significant losses during the monsoon season, affecting thousands of people. Over the past few days, Mandi district recorded 123 per cent excess rains, causing widespread devastation in the district whereas Shimla district received 105 per cent excess rainfall, the CM said. Sukhu directed the SDMA to issue regular weather updates to the public and to counter misinformation circulating in social media. He said that SDMA was the sole authority to issue alerts and urged the people to rely only on the official information. The CM said that the state government was strengthening the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and a new campus was being set up at Palampur in Kangra district. A State Institute of Disaster Management would be established at Dr Manmohan Singh Himachal Institute of Public Administration, Shimla while Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla would carry out research and development work, the statement added. He said that Rs 891 crore disaster risk reduction project was being implemented under which strengthening of the HPSDMA and the district disaster management authority (DDMAs) would be done along-with fortifying disaster preparedness through effective early warning system and supporting mitigation measures, which would be completed in March, 2030.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Death toll in Himachal rises to 80; 52 deaths rain-related, 28 in road accidents: SDMA
Shimla: The cumulative death toll due to heavy rain-related incidents in Himachal Pradesh has risen to 80, with 52 fatalities directly attributed to disasters such as landslides, flash floods, and cloudbursts, while 28 deaths were due to other causes including road accidents, according to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). The district of Mandi was the worst hit, accounting for 17 rain-related deaths, followed by Kangra with 11. The SDMA report, covering the period from June 20 to July 7, also recorded 28 deaths under "other causes" including electrocution, snake bites, and falls from steep terrain. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Join new Free to Play WWII MMO War Thunder War Thunder Play Now Undo Quoting from the report, an SDMA official said, "As per cumulative data compiled till July 7, the state has recorded 80 deaths--52 from rain-induced incidents, 28 from road accidents." Rain-related deaths included 14 due to cloudbursts, 8 in flash floods, 1 from landslides, and others from electrocution, drowning, and falls caused by weather events. Live Events In addition, the state has seen 128 people injured, 320 houses fully damaged, and 38 partially damaged, 10,254 livestock and poultry deaths and damage to public infrastructure worth Rs 69,265.60 lakh The SDMA also confirmed 23 flash floods and 19 cloudburst events so far this monsoon, along with 16 landslides, underscoring the scale of disruption across hill districts. Massive damage to crops, roads, bridges, and power infrastructure was reported, especially in Mandi, Kullu, Kangra, and Shimla. Relief camps have been set up, and rescue operations are ongoing with assistance from NDRF and SDRF teams. The SDMA has urged the public to stay alert and avoid vulnerable zones near rivers, steep slopes, and under-construction sites. The government continues to monitor the situation and is providing assistance to affected families.
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
Himachal CM chairs state disaster management meet; focus on strengthening SDRF, 70,000 citizens to be trained
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], July 8 (ANI): The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday chaired a high-level meeting of the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), his second such meeting since assuming office. The review focused on intensifying disaster preparedness given the increasingly destructive monsoon patterns and repeated cloudburst incidents in the state. 'This is only our second SDMA meeting since our government came to power. The first was held in 2023. Given how disasters, especially monsoon-related ones, are becoming a major issue not just in Himachal but across the country, it is imperative we take urgent and long-term measures,' said Naresh Chauhan, Media Advisor to the Chief Minister. The CM underlined the immense damage caused in 2023 and the early weeks of the current monsoon. 'This year, again, we've witnessed severe destruction due to rains and cloudbursts. Everyone saw the kind of devastation caused in Mandi's Seraj region,' he said. He added that agricultural land has been swept away in several areas. As per data shared in the meeting, 23 flash flood events and 19 cloudburst incidents have been recorded in the state since June 20 this year. Thirteen relief camps have been established, currently sheltering 730 people. The state has so far suffered an estimated loss of Rs 700 crore, as per a preliminary assessment, according to a release. Briefing reporters after the meeting, Principal Media Advisor to the Chief Minister, Naresh Chauhan, told ANI that Himachal Pradesh has suffered a lot due to the monsoon rains in the recent past. 'This was the ninth meeting of the State Disaster Management Authority and the second one chaired by the current Chief Minister. Whether we look at 2023, 2024, or this year, Himachal has suffered major losses due to cloudbursts and monsoon rains, especially in Mandi, Thunag, Karsog, Dharampur and other regions,' said Chauhan. 'So far, 23 flash floods and 19 cloudbursts have been recorded in 2025. Relief camps have been set up at 13 different locations. Field officers are currently busy with relief operations, and the preliminary damage estimate stands at Rs 700 crore,' he added. He said that the Chief Minister had made key announcements during the meeting. He said a plan was discussed to strengthen the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), with a proposed investment of Rs 819 crore, Training will be imparted to 70,000 citizens about 1 per cent of the state's population through the Civil Defence and Home Guard framework, with each participant undergoing 15 days of training. A major SDRF infrastructure centre is coming up in Palampur, Kangra district and Training modules are also being developed under SIDM, and a resource bank will be maintained in collaboration with Himachal Pradesh University. On improving disaster resilience, Chief Minister Sukhu stressed the need for 'scientific road construction practices, especially on four-lane and national highway projects.' He added that proper slope cutting and soil testing must be mandatory to prevent landslides and construction-related disasters. 'We have also issued instructions that muck disposal should be done in scientifically identified and developed sites. If needed, the government can even pay private landowners for proper dumping sites,' he said, directing the PWD to act on this front. The CM also called for strict implementation of regulations that prohibit construction within 50 meters of rivers and streams. 'From 2023 till now, 25,000 houses have been damaged. This is a matter of deep concern. We must now ensure all construction includes soil testing and that the quality of structures is monitored,' he said. He emphasized involving the public in disaster preparedness. 'We will connect the SDRF with the general public. The police and Home Guards will be trained as well so that in future, we are fully prepared to respond to disasters,' Chauhan added. Referring to the devastating July 1 cloudbursts in Seraj, Mandi, Chauhan said that efforts are on to restore. 'Eight to ten cloudbursts occurred in a single day. Our entire administration responded with full force Deputy Chief Minister, the PWD Minister, and I personally visited the affected areas. Hundreds of machines are working to clear roads and restore water schemes. Army, NDRF and SDRF teams are on the ground,' he said. Naresh Chauhan also reacted to the criticism that local MP Kangana Ranaut reached late to the disaster-hit area. 'This is not the first time. I urge her not to indulge in politics. As a Member of Parliament, she receives Rs 5 crore annually. She should use that to help people. She's part of the ruling party at the Centre if she can help bring a special package, we'll welcome it. This is not a time to make celebrity appearances; one must prove their commitment on the ground,' he added. He also criticised the opposition and Kangana Ranaut. 'Even BJP leaders like Jairam Thakur were looking for her. If she's here, she should sincerely be among the people,' he said. Regarding allegations of illegal logging in forests and the role of deforestation in worsening flash floods, Chauhan said, 'The CM has already sought a detailed report. We are examining whether there are lapses or syndicates operating within forests. Are cloudbursts in forests causing downstream destruction? We'll get full clarity.' He added further that the CM is expected to visit the flood-affected areas in Mandi and Seraj on Monday, weather permitting. 'He will personally assess the damage and interact with district officials to decide what kind of relief and rehabilitation package is needed,' Chauhan said. Chauhan confirmed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has assured the CM of central support. 'We are waiting for the Centre's help, but in the meantime, the state will ensure that there is no shortage of relief for the people,' he said. (ANI)
