161 deaths & Rs 3,056-cr losses, CM Sukhu declares entire Himachal ‘disaster-hit’

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today announced that the entire state had been declared “disaster-hit” due to the widespread rain devastation, with losses exceeding Rs 3,000 crore.

Speaking in the Assembly during the monsoon session, the Chief Minister said a related notification was issued on Monday. “The losses due to cloudbursts, flashfloods and landslides have been estimated at Rs 3,056 crore. The maximum damage has been caused to roads, bridges and water and power supply schemes,” he said.

The notification has been issued by the Disaster Management Cell of the Revenue Department under sub-section (e) of Section 24 of the Disaster Management Act, 2025. Sukhu said 161 persons had died while 40 others were missing in 45 cloudbursts, 91 flashfloods and 105 major landslides since the beginning of the monsoon on June 19. The worst-affected districts include Chamba, Mandi, Kullu, Shimla, Kangra and Kinnaur.

The CM also said there was no conflict in number of casualties during the Manimahesh Yatra in Chamba’s Bharmour. “Sixteen pilgrims have died and the bodies of four of them are still stuck at Kugti village in Bharmour. The Chamba administration has arranged 20 porters to get the bodies our, but heavy rain is hampering the process,” he said.

Sukhu also said he received a letter from former CM Shanta Kumar on August 27 expressing concern over the monsoon mayhem. “I am grateful that Shanta Kumar has written to the Prime Minister and the Centre to provide Rs 20,000 crore special relief package to Himachal from the Rs 2 lakh crore lying unclaimed in various banks,” he said.

Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur said over 500 people were still stranded in Bharmour as they were not in a position to walk. “Restore road connectivity to ensure the stranded people can be taken out,” he said.