Himachal Pradesh has suffered estimated losses of around Rs 800 crore to Rs 1,000 crore due to monsoon-related disasters this season. At the same time, the state has activated its integrated disaster response system and strengthened its preparedness, Special Secretary of the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA) Pushpinder Rana said on Thursday.
Rana said the state government had held preparedness meetings well before the monsoon began. Deputy Commissioners were given detailed instructions and the necessary support to handle emergencies. He said district administrations are also being provided immediate help based on their needs.
"Our disaster preparedness is top class and the entire response system is fully activated," Rana said. He said all departments and agencies involved in disaster management are working together to deal with emergencies across the state.
Rana said the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) is using advanced digital technology to receive information about incidents from even remote parts of Himachal Pradesh within seconds.
He said authorities receive an initial report as soon as an incident is reported, often along with photographs and videos. The SEOC team then reviews the information and quickly alerts first responders and field officials.
According to Rana, the use of technology has helped reduce response time and improved coordination between different departments during emergencies.
Speaking about the damage caused by the ongoing monsoon, Rana said several parts of the state have been hit by heavy rain, landslides, flash floods and cloudbursts, causing extensive damage.
He said Kangra has been among the worst-affected districts, while Chamba has also reported damage. Several landslides and cloudburst incidents have been recorded, with houses also being damaged in some areas. A detailed assessment of the losses is currently being carried out.
Rana said the estimated cost of recovery and reconstruction has so far been put at Rs 800 crore to Rs 1,000 crore. However, he added that the final assessment is still in progress.
He said Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is likely to visit Kangra in the coming days to take stock of the situation and relief work. The state government will provide all possible support to affected families and will seek assistance from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) wherever needed.
On disaster response arrangements, Rana said teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have already been stationed in vulnerable districts.
He said Deputy Commissioners have the authority to request additional NDRF or SDRF teams whenever necessary. Representatives of both forces are also present at the State Emergency Operations Centre, helping ensure better coordination during disasters.
Rana said departments such as health, police, public works, electricity and water supply are working together to restore normal services as quickly as possible.
On infrastructure damage, he said the latest assessment showed that nearly 150 roads were blocked. Several electricity distribution transformers and drinking water supply schemes have also been damaged or disrupted.
He said restoration work is being carried out on a daily basis. Officials have been directed to give priority to restoring roads, electricity and water supply so that people face as little inconvenience as possible.
Rana also spoke about the state's disaster reporting mobile application, which was developed to provide real-time information from the ground, including from areas with limited internet connectivity.
He said the app allows users to record photographs and videos even when there is no internet connection. Once a network becomes available, the information can be uploaded immediately. The operations centre then receives an alert and starts the response process.
The application also helps officials study photographs and videos, compare them with satellite images and Google Earth data, and get a clearer picture of the damage.
Rana said the app has already received dozens of incident reports. He described it as a useful tool that has helped reduce delays in reporting and improved the authorities' understanding of the situation on the ground. He said the application was developed entirely in-house by the Department of Science and Technology, without the involvement of external consultants.
"This is the first initiative of its kind. We have also showcased it at a BRICS platform, and we believe it could have applications beyond India as well," Rana said.
Also read: Himachal Chief Secy reviews monsoon preparedness
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