State Govt declares HP as “natural calamity affected area”

SHIMLA, Himachal Pradesh: The Government of Himachal Pradesh declared the state as a “natural calamity affected area” due to heavy rains that have lashed the hill state.

There has been a total of 72 deaths in this rain battered state and 22 of these deaths were due to major landslides in the state capital Shimla.

“The state of Himachal Pradesh has witnessed unprecedented loss of human lives and huge destruction, damage, and loss to public and private property during the ongoing monsoon season. The entire state has been badly ravaged by incessant rain leading to floods, cloudbursts, landslides, and slope failure taking a heavy toll on lives and property. Thousands of dwelling units have been damaged or destroyed,” a government official stated.

He further added, “ Keeping in view the unprecedented grave situation leading to loss of human life and damage, destruction, and loss of public infrastructure and private property, the state government has decided to declare the whole state of Himachal Pradesh as ‘natural calamity affected area.”

According to the state emergency operation centre, 217 deaths have taken place and 11,301 houses have been partially or completely damaged.

A total of 506 roads are still closed in the state and 408 transformers and 149 water supply schemes have been disrupted.