BJP president J P Nadda on Sunday stated that the Centre is worried about the dire situation in Himachal Pradesh, which has been devastated by rain, and would make every effort to assist those who have been displaced, news agency PTI reported. Nadda is touring the state alongside Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur, former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, and state BJP president Rajiv Bindal to assess the situation.
"This is not an issue of politics, this is an issue of humanity. Our responsibility is to work together for the people of Himachal Pradesh. I have assured CM Sukhu that the GoI and PM Modi will provide all possible help to the state govt. We will not leave any stone unturned to help the people of Himachal Pradesh," Nadda stated.
“I am pained to see the devastation and loss of human lives and assure all help for rehabilitation of displaced persons,” said the BJP president, who began his journey to flood-affected districts of the state at Paonta Sahib in Sirmaur, remarked after visiting with a family that lost five members in flash floods on August 10.
Speaking with reporters, Nadda stated: “Himachal has suffered huge losses and the union government is seriously concerned about the situation. Efforts are afoot by the administration to provide relief and take up restoration and rehabilitation works. Central help would continue to pour in and all the displaced persons would be rehabilitated."
Highlighting the support provided by the centre to the state so far, Nadda said: "CM Sukhu met PM Modi and Union HM Amit Shah and asked for interim relief. Rs 189 crores were provided within 2 days. A total of Rs 622 crores have been provided to the state govt of Himachal Pradesh. 20 teams of NDRF are at the spot for rescue operations, 2 ITBP companies, 3 Air Force helicopters have rescued over 1,000 people."
Nadda then visited the Shiv temple location in Summer Hill, which was affected by a large landslip on August 14, as well as Krishnanagar.
In Himachal Pradesh, the death toll from rain-related accidents has risen to 78.
According to the Superintendent of Shimla Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi, 24 of the 78 deaths since Sunday night occurred in Shimla alone – 17 at the Shiv shrine on Summer Hill, five in Fagli, and two in Krishnanagar.
According to the state emergency operations centre, 338 people have perished in rain-related events and traffic accidents in HP since the monsoon began on June 24, with 38 individuals still missing. Rain-related incidents killed 221 people in HP, according to the report.