Sirmaur counts losses: Rs 230cr damage bill after monsoon

A review meeting on the damage caused by natural disasters and the ongoing relief measures in Sirmaur district was held on Tuesday at the Bachat Bhawan, Nahan. The meeting was chaired by Industries, Parliamentary Affairs, Labour and Employment Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan in the presence of Himachal Pradesh Assembly Deputy Speaker Vinay Kumar, Paonta Sahib MLA Sukh Ram Chaudhary, Pachhad MLA Reena Kashyap and Nahan MLA Ajay Solanki.

While reviewing the situation, the Industries Minister said Sirmaur district has suffered losses amounting to nearly Rs 230 crore during this year’s monsoon. He directed the naib tehsildars and patwaris to carry out accurate assessments of damages and ensure that eligible families receive timely relief. He also instructed officials of the Public Works Department and National Highways Authority to expedite the reopening of blocked roads and undertake early restoration of damaged road infrastructure.

Chauhan further directed the district administration to prioritise relief assistance for health and educational institutions that were affected by the disaster. Stressing the importance of collective effort, he urged all representatives and citizens to stand together so that the losses suffered in Sirmaur can be mitigated at the earliest. He added that the purpose of the review meeting was also to gather first-hand inputs from elected representatives about the disaster’s impact in their respective constituencies and to monitor the relief operations being carried out.

During the meeting, it was informed that regular departmental meetings are being convened to deal with monsoon-related losses. A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) unit has been stationed at Kubja Pavilion, Dadahu, to aid in search and rescue operations. Quick Response Teams have also been constituted and a 24×7 District Emergency Operation Centre has been set up in Nahan to report disaster-related incidents. Citizens can also contact the toll-free number 1077 for assistance.

The data presented revealed that between June 20 and September 9, 2025, a total of 10 pucca houses and 12 kutcha houses were completely damaged, while 51 pucca and 40 kutcha houses were partially damaged. Additionally, 90 cowsheds, four shops and 44 heads of livestock were lost during the disaster.

In 2025 alone, apart from the Revenue Department, various other departments in Sirmaur incurred losses worth about Rs 170 crore due to the monsoon. So far, Rs 12.74 crore has been spent from the State Disaster Response Fund on relief works, while Rs 4.44 crore has been allocated for repairing roads, bridges, water supply schemes and for assistance to local bodies and other institutions. Sirmaur DC Priyanka Verma assured the chairperson and public representatives that the administration would ensure fair assessment of damages and provide early relief to all affected families in the district.