Himachal CM Sukhvinder Sukhu visits cloudburst-hit Samej village, announces Rs 50,000 relief per family

Tribune News Service

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Rampur, August 2
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today visited Samej village in the Rampur area of Shimla district where 33 persons had gone missing following a cloudburst on the night of July 31. He inspected the cloudburst site and reviewed the ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts.

The Chief Minister consoled the cloudburst-affected families and announced an immediate relief package. He said, “Each affected family will receive Rs 50,000 as immediate assistance and Rs 5,000 for three months for renting accommodation from today itself. The state government will provide free essential items of basic need such as ration, cooking gas, blankets and stoves. It will also extend comprehensive support to all affected families.”
Sukhu said that five cloudbursts in three districts of the state caused widespread damage. “Six persons have reportedly died while 47 are missing due to the cloudbursts in three districts. Besides, 14 motorable and pedestrian bridges, 115 houses, 23 cowsheds, 10 shops and three fish farms have been damaged in flashfloods. One national highway and five roads are blocked due to heavy rains,” he added.
As many as 33 persons are reported missing following the cloudburst in Samej village near Rampur while 10 trapped individuals have been rescued. The cloudburst also damaged 38 houses and two bridges in the village.
Sukhu said that financial assistance for rebuilding houses would be announced shortly. He directed the district administration to make alternative arrangements for the displaced families so that they did not face any further miseries and difficulties.
He also met with students of Government Senior Secondary School at Samej village whose eight classmates are missing after the tragic incident. Class VIII students Rakhi and Kartik Thakur told the Chief Minister that their school had been completely damaged. The Chief Minister assured the students that their school building would be reconstructed and comforted them to stay strong and support their families in this hour of grief.
Sukhu said that rescue and relief operations were being undertaken on a war footing and the district administration had swung into action immediately after the cloudburst. He added that 55 stranded persons had been evacuated so far. Relentless efforts were on to trace the missing persons.
Education Minister Rohit Thakur, Chairman of the state Seventh Finance Commission Nand Lal and MLAs were also present.

Govt to provide free ration, cooking gas

• The state government will provide free essential items of basic need such as ration, cooking gas, blankets and stoves
• Each affected family will receive ~50,000 as immediate assistance and ~5,000 for three months for renting accommodation from today itself
• The Chief Minister met with students of Government Senior Secondary School at Samej village whose eight classmates are missing after the cloudburst incident
• He assured the students that their school building would be reconstructed