In the wake of relentless landslides and unyielding rains that have left a trail of destruction in Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has officially declared the state to be in a state of calamity. The beleaguered hill state has been grappling with a series of natural disasters, prompting the state government to appeal to the Centre for the declaration of a national calamity, according to sources from the news agency PTI.
As the situation continues to worsen, the state government has received a financial aid of Rs 11 crore from the Chhattisgarh government towards the ‘Aapda Rahat Kosh’ (Disaster Relief Fund). Chief Minister Sukhu expressed his gratitude to Chhattisgarh’s Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel for extending the helping hand during this time of crisis.
Acknowledging the numerous contributors who have come forward to assist the state, Chief Minister Sukhu urged the Members of Parliament representing the state to raise the issue of the monsoon fury that has befallen Himachal Pradesh. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has projected scattered rainfall over the next four to five days, with controlled precipitation expected until August 25.
In the midst of the chaos, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Indian Army have been working tirelessly to restore normalcy to the state. Chief Minister Sukhu emphasized the fervent ongoing relief and rescue operations that are being conducted across the disaster-stricken areas. The state government remains dedicated to aiding affected families, particularly those whose homes have been ravaged by flash floods and landslides.
In a recent media briefing, Chief Minister Sukhu shared that assessment teams from the central government have visited the affected regions to gauge the extent of damages. According to state officials, Himachal Pradesh has incurred losses exceeding Rs 10,000 crore since the onset of the calamity.
The death toll continues to rise, with the recovery of another body from the debris of the Shiv Temple in Summer Hill. This incident brings the grim count of lives claimed by the rain-battered state to a tragic 75. Notably, three major landslides in Shimla alone, including the Shiva Temple in Summer Hill, Fagli, and Krishnanagar, have accounted for 25 fatalities, as reported by Shimla Superintendent of Police, Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
