Himachal floods: The government of Himachal Pradesh has declared the entire state as a 'natural calamity affected area' on Friday due to the massive damaged caused by incessant rainfall causing floods, landslides and cloudbursts.
In an official notification, the state government said that Himachal Pradesh has witnessed "unprecedented loss of human lives and huge destruction, damage and loss to public and private property during the ongoing monsoon season."
"The entire State has been badly ravaged by incessant rains leading to floods, cloudbursts, landslides and slope failure taking heavy toll of lives and property. Thousands of dwelling units have been damaged or destroyed. There has been unprecedented loss of crops and agricultural land. Thousands of tourists and local people who were stranded had to be evacuated with the help of Indian Air Force, Army, NDRF, SDRF, Police, Home Guards, Fire Services and local volunteers," it further read.
The state government also provided a picture of the extensive infrastructural damage, including national highways, road networks and bridges being washed away in the rain, due to the heavy rains. It also informed that the district administration has been continuously carrying out relief and rescue activities since the monsoon season began.
"Therefore, keeping in view the unprecedented grave situation leading to loss of human life and damage, destruction and loss to public infrastructure and private property, the State Government has decided to declare the whole State of Himachal Pradesh as "Natural Calamity Affected Area"," said the government notice.
A complete assessment of the damage and loss of livestock, infrastructure and crops will be done by relevant departments of the districts after the weather returns to normal.
Heavy rains have lashed the hill state of Himachal Pradesh since Sunday, triggering landslides in several districts, including Shimla and killing atleast 75.
Earlier in the day, the Himachal Pradesh government said that it has decided to declare the heavy rains as a state calamity. The Congress government is awaiting a response from the Centre to declare the disaster as a national calamity.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the state has suffered an estimated loss of Rs 10,000 crore and that it will take a year to rebuild the infrastructure damaged by the heavy rains this monsoon.
Since the onset of the monsoon on June 24, 217 persons have died in rain-related incidents in Himachal Pradesh and 11,301 houses have been partially or completely damaged, according to the state emergency operation centre.
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