Himachal Suffered Losses Of Rs 8,000 Cr, Says CM As He Demands Interim Relief Of Rs 2,000 Cr From Centre

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the hill state has so far lost about Rs 8,000 crore due to heavy rain.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday said that his state has suffered losses of about Rs 8,000 crore due to heavy rain and related incidents in the hill state. He said heavy rain wreaked havoc in the state, triggering landslides, flash floods, and damaged roads and other infrastructure. As per the state emergency response centre, the state incurred losses of Rs 4,000 crore in the state until Friday. Meanwhile, CM Sukhu has sought an interim relief of Rs 2,000 crore from the Union Home Ministry, reported news agency PTI.

The bus service of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) continues to remain suspended on 899 routes and 256 other buses are held en route. So far, the HRTC has suffered losses of Rs 5.56 crore, said officials, as reported by PTI.

Meanwhile, about 70,000 tourists have been evacuated from the state and 15,000 vehicles have been out. In addition to this, around 500 tourists have voluntarily decided to stay back, said Sukhu in an official statement, as cited by the agency.

Some tourists, who were trapped at Kasol, Manikaran, and other adjoining areas in the Kullu district refused to move out without their vehicles. They have all decided to stay back for a few more days until the situation normalises and all roads are opened.

Multiple vehicles were not able to move and tourists were forced to trek to reach the other side due to a heavy landslide near Dunkhara on the Kasol-Bhuntar road. However, the state government said these tourists are being taken care of.

Electricity, water, and mobile phone services have been temporarily restored in 80 percent of the disaster-affected areas and efforts are being made to restore essential services in the remaining areas at the earliest, the official statement said.

Notably, the local MeT office has issued an "orange" warning for heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places in 10 of the 12 districts of the state, barring Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur, from July 15 to 17. It has also warned of the possibility of landslides, flash floods, mudslides and increased runoff in rivers and nullahs.

The weather department has also issued a "yellow" warning for heavy rain on July 18 and forecast a wet spell in the state till July 21.