Shimla, Sep 1: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu on Monday announced in the legislative Assembly that the state has been declared disaster-affected, with monsoon rain-related damages exceeding Rs 3,056 crore and over 300 deaths. The Chief Minister said the Disaster Management Act has been invoked in response to the situation, and the entire state has been declared a disaster-affected area starting from Monday.
He blamed climate change for the widespread natural calamity. Chief Minister Sukhu said a formal notification has been issued, citing the scale of destruction due to cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides, which have severely impacted roads, bridges, power lines, and water supply schemes. “Sixteen pilgrims have died in the Manimahesh Yatra and bodies of four of them are still stuck in Kugti village in Bharmour as it is not possible to take them out due to the incessant, heavy rains. “The Chamba district administration has arranged 20 porters to carry the bodies out but the rain is still continuing,” CM Sukhu informed the Assembly. Later, talking to the media, Chief Minister Sukhu said, “I have requested our MPs to ask for a special relief package for the state from the government of India.