Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh informed the Vidhan Sabha that the current monsoon season has killed 50 people across Himachal Pradesh, besides causing huge damage to public and private property. Out of 50, 23 deaths have been reported in Kinnaur district, seven in Shimla, four in Kangra, five in Sirmaur, six in Mandi, three in Kullu, one each in Hamirpur and Chamba districts of state.
Apart from human life lose, flood affected people of the state also suffered a huge lose of livestock as about 24,142 animals, including sheep, goat, cattle and mules have perished due to excessive rainfall. Heavy rain in this monsoon season also damaged fully or partially about 5,287 housing structures, cowsheds, labour sheds and shops in various parts of the state.
Chief Minister said that the Kinnaur and Sirmour districts were the worst affected districts. During this monsoon heavy rains have lashed various parts of the state almost on a daily basis.
The Chief Minister informed the house that 4,377 roads in the state have been partially or totally affected resulting in huge losses and disruption of normal life, with losses assessed at Rs 1,221.45 crore on this count. The entire stretch of national highway from Wangtu to Sumdo has been washed away at various places. CM added that electricity infrastructure has also suffered extensive damage, especially in Kinnaur district, including operational and under construction power projects. Chief Minister informed that the total cumulative losses suffered by the state have been estimated as Rs 2892 crore.
Chief Minister claimed that his Govt had done its best to provide immediate support to the people of affected regions. He said that Rs 129.24 crore was released to various departments and the deputy commissioners to provide immediate relief and carry out restoration works. A detailed memorandum of losses seeking liberal financial support from the National Disaster Response Fund has been submitted to the Centre and a central team for assessment of losses has already visited the state from July 23 to 25, he added.
Virbhadra Singh also informed that Rs 68 crore as first installment of aid from State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) has been received from Union government and state has released the state share of Rs 15 crore.
However, leader of opposition Prem Kumar Dhumal lambasted at the lackluster attitude of the government. He accused the Govt for failing in dealing with floods. He also questioned the intentions of state government and asked to press the Centre government for giving big relief to the state.
