A total of 287 people have died in rain related incidents since the onset of monsoon on June 24 till September 22. The Chief Minister had claimed that the state suffered losses to the tune of Rs 12,000 crore.
Actor Aamir Khan. Credit: PTI Photo
Superstar Aamir Khan has donated Rs 25 lakh towards the Aapada Rahat Kosh to provide succor to the rain-affected families in Himachal Pradesh, the state government said in a statement on Saturday.
Expressing his gratitude to the Hindi film actor, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the assistance will ‘undoubtedly support the relief and rehabilitation efforts aimed at helping the affected families to recover from the aftermath of the disaster.’
The chief minister said the fund will be judiciously utilised and they will ensure that it reaches those in dire need.
Earlier, Sukhu had donated all his savings worth Rs 51 lakh towards the Aapada Rahat Kosh to extend a helping hand to the disaster affected people of the state.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu at the Gala Dinner during the G20 Summit, in New Delhi, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (Photo: PTI)
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare the destruction caused by heavy rains in the state a national disaster.
In a post on X on September 10, he said: “Had the privilege of addressing the grave aftermath of torrential rains in Himachal Pradesh during my conversation with Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji after our G20 Summit dinner. I also requested a special disaster relief package and emphasised the need to designate this calamity as a ‘national disaster’, highlighting the urgency of the situation.”
States affected by natural disasters often make such requests to the Centre. Demands for special relief packages are also made. What is the basis of such demands and how does the Centre determine the scale of assistance that it provides?
First, why is Himachal Pradesh demanding assistance?
Sukhu has said that Himachal Pradesh suffered losses of Rs 10,000 crore due to rain-related incidents this monsoon. He demanded that the calamity be declared a national disaster and a special disaster package be announced, PTI reported.
According to the state emergency operation centre, 418 people have died (265 in rain-related incidents and 153 in road accidents) since the onset of monsoon on June 24 till September 9, while 39 are missing.
How are states assisted during natural disasters?
There is no official or defined category of “national disasters”. Disasters of this nature come under the 2005 Disaster Management Act, which defines a “disaster” as “a catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence in any area, arising from natural or man made causes, or by accident or negligence which results in substantial loss of life or human suffering or damage to, and destruction of, property, or damage to, or degradation of, environment, and is of such a nature or magnitude as to be beyond the coping capacity of the community of the affected area”.
The Act saw the creation of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), to be headed by the Prime Minister, and State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) headed by respective Chief Ministers. Together with district-level authorities, an integrated Disaster Management setup was to be created in India.
As many as 732 persons tested positive for scrub typhus while five deaths due to disease have been reported in Himachal Pradesh so far this year.
The Health Department has braced up tackle scrub typhus a rickettsial disease effectively.
National Health Mission, Mission Director Sudesh Mokta informed that till now 5218 tests have been conducted in the state, out of which 723 people were found positive and 5 people died due to the disease.
“Keeping in mind the current situation, all the Chief Medical Officers and Senior Medical Superintendents of the state have been asked to ensure proper storage of medicines,” he said, adding that it has also been asked to conduct comprehensive information, education and communication activities along with appropriate management for prevention and treatment of scrub typhus.
A spokesperson of the Health Department said that scrub typhus is a seasonal zoonotic (animal borne disease), generally the number of patients with high fever increases during the rainy season.
Most cases of which occur during the rainy season, which coincides with hay cutting and apple season.
“This disease is spread by the bite of a flea (mite) infected with a special bacteria (Rickettsia). This bacteria enters the body through the skin and causes scrub typhus fever. If a person is suffering from fever along with pain and shivering in the joints or there are cramps, stiffness in the body or the body feels as if it is broken and also has lumps in the neck, under the arms and above the hips due to excessive infection, then immediately the person needs to consult the nearest doctor,” said the spokesperson.
The spokesperson urged the general public to cover their entire body, especially their legs, feet and arms while working in the fields and bushes.
State’s capital Shimla has witnessed several landslides in the past weeks with the toll in rain-related incidents in the district in the past 10 days rising to 26. During this year’s monsoon, Himachal Pradesh experienced three major episodes of intense rainfall.
Himachal Pradesh has been facing nature’s wrath as the state witnessed several landslides following heavy downpours which resulted in the death of 120 people this month alone. State’s capital Shimla has witnessed several landslides in the past weeks with the toll in rain-related incidents in the district in the past 10 days rising to 26, which include 17 deaths in Summer Hill landslide, five in Fagli and two in Krishna Nagar. The victims of the landslide narrated their pain as they were left with close to nothing to look forward to as their day-to-day lives had been completely shattered due to the landslides and were forced to live the life of a refugee.
Narrating her harrowing experience, Promila, who lost her home in a landslide in Shimla said, “Death would have better than going through this nightmare with nowhere to go and no shoulder to cry on.”
Here are today’s top news, analysis, and opinion. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times.
A man looks at a swollen Beas River following heavy rains in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh.(AP)
Rain continues to batter Himachal, red alert in six districts
Himachal Pradesh continued to bear the brunt of incessant rain triggering landslides, leading to buildings collapsing at Anni in Kullu district and blocking four highways on Thursday even as the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert, predicting heavy to very rainfall in six districts of the state. Read More
Norway has decided to donate F-16 combat aircraft to Ukraine for its battle against Russia’s invasion, Norwegian broadcaster TV2 reported on Thursday, citing unnamed sources. Read More
Dental health tips to ace a shining and perfect smile
A radiant smile holds immense power, positively impacting various aspects of one’s life beyond mere appearance and it is crucial for today’s youth to recognise the importance of a comprehensive dental care routine as it contributes to a resilient personality.
‘Moon meetha karo’: Amul celebrates India’s Chandrayaan-3 landing with illustrations
After India successfully soft-landed Chandrayaan-3’s rover Pragyan on the south pole of the Moon on August 23, Amul celebrated by sharing creative illustrations on social media. “We thank the ISRO team for their continuous service to take India to greater heights,” wrote Amul while sharing three illustrations on Instagram. Read More
Dramatic visuals of buildings collapsing in Himachal’s Kullu have surfaced, showing structures coming down to dust one by one. (Photo: News18)
Rain fury continues to hit Himachal Pradesh with officials on Wednesday reporting 12 fresh deaths, over 400 road blockages and damages to several houses after overnight downpour.
The meteorological office on Wednesday issued a ‘red alert’ predicting “heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated spells of extremely heavy rains” in six of the state’s 12 districts of Himachal Pradesh, including Shimla, for the next 24 hours.
In a fresh rain-related incident, a massive landslide on Thursday in Kullu’s Anni area led to multiple buildings collapsing. Hundreds of vehicles, meanwhile, are stranded in a 10-km long traffic jam in Kullu district after the road connecting with Mandi got damaged due to rainfall.
Himachal Pradesh Rains Latest Updates:
-8-9 Buildings Collapse In Kullu’s Anni
Around 8-9 buildings have collapsed near the new bus stand in Anni town of Kullu district. There is no known loss of life at the moment. Notices were issued by the administration to vacate the building about a week ago.
Dramatic visuals of the buildings collapsing have surfaced, showing structures coming down to dust one by one.
Heavy to very heavy rain is likely in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand from August 22-24, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Meanwhile, four people died in a fresh landslide in Uttarakhand’s Tehri district.
SDRF carries out rescue work following a landslide in Uttarakhand’s Tehri district. (India Today)
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an ‘orange alert’ for heavy to very heavy rain in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand from August 22-24.
The weather body also warned of a moderate risk of flash floods in catchment areas of the Chamba and Mandi districts, predicting a wet spell till August 26.
Heavy rain can result in landslides, flash floods and increased water levels in rivers and drains, besides causing damage to standing crops, fruit plants and young seedlings, the weather office said.
The hill states have seen extensive devastation and deaths in the last few months due to incessant rainfall.
4 KILLED IN UTTARAKHAND LANDSLIDE, ROAD BLOCKED
Four people, including two women and a 4-month-old baby, were killed after being hit by a landslide in Chamba in Uttarakhand’s Tehri district on Monday, police said.
Four bodies have been recovered so far and a search is underway for another missing person, senior police official Navneet Singh Bhullaraid said.
Some more vehicles could also be trapped as the landslide hit a taxi stand near the Chamba police station, he added.
The death toll in rain-related incidents in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand rose to 88 on Saturday with the recovery of another body from the debris of a collapsed temple in Shimla
(Image: PTI)
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an ‘orange alert’ for heavy to very heavy rain in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand from August 22-24. This has further put the two states on alert due to the widespread destruction caused by incessant rainfall over the last few days.
The death toll in rain-related incidents in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand rose to 88 on Saturday with the recovery of another body from the debris of a collapsed temple in Shimla.
“Isolated very heavy rainfall likely over Uttarakhand during August 21-24; over Himachal Pradesh on August 23 and 24 and over northwest Uttar Pradesh on August 22 and 23, 2023,” the IMD said in its latest bulletin.
The Met has also warned of moderate risk of flash floods in catchment areas of Chamba and Mandi districts and predicted a wet spell till August 26. Heavy rain can result in landslides, flash floods and increased water levels in rivers and drains, besides causing damage to standing crops, fruit plants and young seedlings, the weather office said.
Meanwhile, the weather agency has also predicted heavy rainfall over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim on August 24 and 25; and over Bihar till August 25. Isolated extremely heavy rainfall is also likely over Sub Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim on August 22 and 23, 2023, it said.
“Isolated very heavy rainfall is also likely over Assam and Meghalaya during 21st–25th and over Arunachal Pradesh during 23rd-25th August, 2023,” the IMD said on Monday.
As for South India, IMD said light or moderate scattered to fairly widespread rainfall or thunderstorm and lightning with isolated heavy rainfall activity is very likely over Tamil Nadu on August 22, 2023.
It is to be noted that the Centre on Sunday approved the release of Rs 200 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund as advance assistance to Himachal Pradesh to help the rain-battered state undertake relief measures for affected people.
Debris of a house that collapsed after a landslide triggered by heavy monsoon rains, at Madrasu in Dehradun. (Image: PTI)
Incessant rains leading to landslides and flood-like situation continued to affect daily life in Himachal Pradesh, even as more heavy showers are predicted from Monday.
The Met office in Shimla issued a ‘yellow alert’ for heavy rain today and an ‘orange alert’ for heavy to very heavy rain from August 22 to 24.
At least 330 people have lost their lives due to rains and floods in this year’s monsoon, as per home ministry data. Last week, the state was hit by at least 25 landslides and one cloudburst.
The IMD has forecast that Himachal is to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall over next two days and Uttarakhand for next four days.
Rescuers remove mud and debris as they search for people feared trapped after a landslide near a temple on the outskirts of Shimla, Himachal Pradesh state. (AP)
Amid incessant rainfall which triggered cloudbursts, landslides and road blocks, over 60 people have died in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand as the operations continue to rescue injured citizens and vehicles from under the debris.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that isolated but heavy rainfall is likely to continue over Himachal Pradesh in the next two days and over Uttarakhand and northeast India in the next 4-5 days.
Due to the heavy rainfall, the water levels of Delhi’s Yamuna river breached the danger mark, for the second time this year, on Tuesday.
Here are the top updates:
Over 800 people have been evacuated from the low-lying areas of Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra near the Pong Dam. The evacuation process was a result of increased water level in the Dam due to incessant rainfall. Himachal chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu tweeted on Wednesday, “More than 800 people were evacuated from the low-lying areas of Kangra near the Pong Dam, as their villages became inaccessible due to the elevated water level in the dam reservoir. Evacuation operation is still on as more people are being evacuated.”
Schools and colleges have been ordered shut in Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday due to heavy rainfall. The state’s Education Department issued an order on Tuesday stating, “Whereas, weather conditions in most parts of Himachal Pradesh are still inclement; & whereas, it is being felt that it worrld be in the interest of Student’s safety that school/colleges remain closed for another 1 day. Therefore, considering the above, the Government of Himachal Pradesh orders to keep all Schools & Colleges (Government as well as Private) closed on dated 16th August, 2023.”
One person was killed and five others were rescued after a building collapsed at Helang near Joshimath in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district late on Tuesday evening. State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) said they pulled one body from the rubble and search was on to rescue another person buried under the debris.
Shimla Deputy Commissioner Aditya Negi, on Wednesday, speaking to news agency PTI said that rescue operations were underway at two places where landslides recently took place — Summer Hill and Krishna Nagar. He said that 13 bodies have been recovered from Shiv Temple in Summer Hill area and one body and one severed head were found in Krishna Nagar.
The monsoon trough, an elongated low-pressure area that was to the north of its normal position, causing heavy rainfall over Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, has gradually started moving south, the IMD said on Tuesday.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Tuesday airlifted 18 army soldiers in a single flight in Shimla. The Air Force said, “A Chinook helicopter of Western Air Command airlifted 18 Indian Army personnel and a 3-Ton Mini Dozer in a single sortie for rescue efforts in areas affected by landslides near Himachal Pradesh’s Shimla today.”
Around five to 10 people are feared trapped after several buildings, including houses and a slaughterhouse, on Tuesday crumbled down in Himachal Pradesh’s Shimla in instance of landslide due to continous rainfall. Locals in the area were moved to safety.
Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhu on Tuesday held a meeting with High Power Committee for natural disaster management. He said that a 157 per cent surge in rainfall over the past four days has resulted in extensive damage across the entire state.
Himachal Pradesh Rain Alert: As the hill states continue to witness monsoon mayhem and landslides, India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday predicted isolated heavy rainfall over Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that a total of 60 people had died in rain-related mishaps since landslides and incessant rainfall befell the state on Monday.
As the hill states continue to witness monsoon mayhem and landslides, India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday predicted isolated heavy rainfall over Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand for next five days.
As per the IMD, the hill states, including Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are set to witness isolated heavy rainfall for the next five days. The Northwest India is set to witness light to moderate rainfall and thunderstorms, as per Met department’s prediction.
Landslide in Himachal Pradesh
On Tuesday, eight houses and a slaughterhouse were razed in a landslide in Himachal Pradesh’s Shimla, which led to trapping of two people under the debris. On Monday, two landslides already claimed 16 lives. Since Sunday, heavy rains in the state have prompted landslides and cloudbursts.
“Flash flood has hit the Bagipul area of Mandi district near Prashar Lake, with over 200 people including tourists and locals stranded near Baggi Bridge on Mandi Prashar Road,” said Sanjeev Sood, DSP Padhar, Mandi District Police.
Flash floods in Himachal’s Mandi | ANI
The northern Indian hilly state of Himachal Pradesh has been receiving incessant rainfall for the past two days. On Monday (June 26) morning, visuals of flash floods emerged from Bagipul in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. The video of the devastating flash floods showed extremely strong tidal currents swept away homes and everything that came in its way. Over 200 people including tourists and locals were left stranded due to the flash floods, police said on Sunday. “Flash flood has hit the Bagipul area of Mandi district near Prashar Lake, with over 200 people including tourists and locals stranded near Baggi Bridge on Mandi Prashar Road. People are being evacuated to safer places in the region. Road connectivity was lost,” Sanjeev Sood, DSP Padhar, Mandi District Police told news agency ANI.
#WATCH | Himachal Pradesh | Flash flood witnessed in Bagi, Mandi following incessant heavy rainfall here. pic.twitter.com/EvWKyQefgG
Traffic movement on National Highway 3 in Mandi, near Hanogi Mata Temple, halted due to flash floods.
Mandi Police issues notice
“It is informed that severe weather condition with continuous rain and flash flood in Khoti Nala near Aut has blocked Mandi-Kullu National Highway. Also, the alternate routes to this highway are also blocked. The Mandi-Joginder Nagar Highway is also closed. The general public/tourists plying on these Highways are advised not to stay on the roads adjacent to mountains as there is a high risk of landslides/rock fall,” read a notice by Mandi Police.
