Shimla: Himachal Pradesh has suffered losses of Rs. 787.47 crore due to flash floods during rainy season this year only.
Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue Tarun Shridhar in a meeting with Central Government team here last evening, claimed that loss of Rs. 404.72 crore had been reported due to damage caused to roads and bridges alone.
Shridhar informed that as many as 5307 IPH schemes were completely or partially damaged, occurring losses of Rs. 214.52 crore, Rs. 32.15 crore losses had been caused to HPSEB, besides losses of public and private assets worth Rs. 2.55 crore. Natural disaster also damaged cash crops and apple orchards in the various part of the state.
The Central Government team is on state tour to take stock of losses occurred in the State due to floods and other disasters.
Tarun Shridhar informed that despite limited resources, the State Government restored all the roads, IPH schemes and electricity on war footing. He also gives details of Bilaspur tunnel mishap.
Additional Chief Secretary V.C. Pharka sought to add vulnerability besides area and population for central funds. He informed central team that Himachal has different topography and climatic conditions, and that is prone to natural disaster.
Joint Secretary (Security), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India V. Shashank Shekhar said that their team visited various flood prone and affected areas of the State. He said roads had suffered major losses. He asked for showing the rescue operations expenditure also.
Additional Chief Secretary, PWD, Narender Chauhan, Divisional Commissioner Dr. R.N. Batta, Secretary, Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Onkar Sharma, Priyatu Mandal, Director, Food and Civil Supplies and consumer Affairs Special Secretary, Disaster Management D.D. Sharma, Deputy Commissioner, Kangra Ritish Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner Una Abhishek Jain, officers of IPH, PWD and Revenue Departments besides officers of central Government were also present in the meeting.
