Declare Himachal Rain Rampage As National Calamity, CM Tells Centre

Shimla: The massive damage caused in Himachal Pradesh by heavy rains should be declared as a national calamity, chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Friday.

The state government today issued a notification declaring the widespread devastation as a state calamity, and is awaiting a similar response from the Central government.

The hill state has been battered by heavy rains over the past one week, triggering landslides in several districts including Shimla.

CM Sukhu said rescue operations are on in full swing and the state government is making efforts to help the affected families, especially those whose houses have been damaged in flash floods and landslides with its own resources.

“Central teams have inspected the affected areas for loss assessment and we need timely help from the Centre,” Sukhu told PTI.

The state has suffered an estimated loss of Rs 10,000 crore, the CM said, adding that it will take a year to rebuild the damaged infrastructure caused by two devastating spells of heavy rains — this week and in July.

More than 500 roads are still closed, while 408 transformers and 149 water supply schemes have been disrupted in Himachal.

Also Read: Himachal Breaks 50-Yr Rainfall Record; CM Appeals People To Stay At Home