Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today informed that the disaster caused by torrential rains has claimed 69 lives so far, with 110 people injured and 37 still missing. He added that he would soon visit the affected areas again.
Briefing the media, Sukhu said that heavy rainfall had caused extensive damage to homes and land in the Seraj and Dharampur areas of Mandi district.
He announced that the state government would provide ₹5,000 per month as house rent to families whose homes have been damaged and who are now living in rented accommodation. Additionally, Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) have been directed to ensure the provision of food supplies to the affected people.
The Chief Minister said these key decisions were taken following discussions with Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani, Deputy Speaker Vinay Kumar, and other MLAs.
Sukhu also mentioned that he had a telephonic conversation with Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the extensive damage in the state. The Union Home Minister assured full support and said a central team would visit the state to assess the situation.
He further revealed that Mandi district alone had witnessed 14 cloudburst incidents this monsoon season, which is a serious concern. He emphasised the need to study the increasing frequency of cloudbursts and raised this issue with the Union Home Minister.
The state has suffered estimated losses of ₹700 crore due to rain-related calamities and cloudbursts, the Chief Minister said. Roads, power infrastructure, and drinking water supply schemes have been severely impacted. All cabinet ministers are currently conducting review meetings in their respective departments to assess the extent of the damage.
Currently, nearly 300 roads are blocked across the state, 790 drinking water schemes have been damaged, and 332 power transformers have been affected. In Mandi district alone, 402 people have been rescued as part of ongoing relief operations. Additionally, 92 students and teachers stranded at the College of Forestry and Horticulture in Thunag have been safely evacuated. NDRF and SDRF teams are actively engaged in relief and rehabilitation efforts across multiple villages in Thunag.
Responding to a question about National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) projects in the state, Sukhu expressed concerns over large companies being awarded contracts based solely on their machinery, without an understanding of the region’s fragile hill terrain. He noted that such companies often carry out hill-cutting based on convenience, causing environmental and infrastructural damage. He urged NHAI to consider awarding such projects to local contractors who are more familiar with the region.
Meanwhile, a state government spokesperson said rescue and relief operations are being carried out on a war footing in Mandi district, the worst-hit region. Senior officers, administrative officials, and state machinery are fully mobilized to support affected communities.
In Thunag alone, 241 water supply schemes were damaged, of which 66 have been temporarily restored. Currently, 164 roads remain blocked in Mandi. The Public Works Department (PWD) has deployed 31 JCBs and three poclain machines to restore connectivity in Seraj and other affected areas. Relief material is being delivered to several remote villages, including Surah.
Rescue and relief operations are also underway in the severely affected villages of Rukchui, Bharad, and Piyala Deji in the Thunag subdivision. Despite challenging weather and terrain, NDRF teams and district administration officials are working tirelessly. So far, 65 people have been rescued from Thunag and provided with first aid and medical attention. Relief supplies and essential services are also being distributed in Dharampur on an urgent basis.
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