Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said Himachal Pradesh had suffered losses of nearly Rs 20,000 crore in the past three years because of floods and rain-related disasters.
He pointed to faulty planning as one of the major causes of destruction, saying that buildings close to rivers and nullahs had worsened the situation. “No government institution should be built within 100 metres of rivers and streams because they are changing their course. The Dharampur bus stand is a big example – built just 10–25 metres from the river – and it has suffered heavy damage again this year,” Sukhu said.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, who visited disaster-hit areas of Dharampur in Mandi district, informed that HRTC buses alone have suffered damages of more than Rs 6 crore.
Speaking to the media, Sukhu said the recent spell of heavy rains had caused severe destruction across the state. “Last night there was heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh. In Mandi district’s Sundernagar’s Nihari area, three people died, while two persons are reported missing in Kinnaur. In Kangra, 13 families have been shifted to shelter homes. Certainly, the retreating monsoon is causing destruction in the state,” he said.
Blaming the growing devastation on climate change and rising temperatures, Sukhu said, “In the past three years, disasters have caused damages of ₹20,000 crore to Himachal Pradesh. Our effort is to rebuild the homes of families who have lost everything, and to save lives and reduce deaths. To some extent, we have been successful.”
Criticising the BJP, he added, “Central ministers were visiting the affected areas of the state merely to gain political mileage, but they should also announce relief packages from their respective ministries”.
He urged BJP leaders to press the Prime Minister to release a special financial package for Himachal at the earliest, so that affected families could receive timely help.
1,125 educational institutions hit by heavy rains
Education Minister Rohit Thakur said 1,125 educational institutions had been damaged due to torrential rains this year, with estimated losses of Rs 59.5 crore.
Chairing a review meeting with senior officers and deputy directors, he noted that in 2023, Rs 51.13 crore was released for repair works in 646 schools. Till September 2025, Rs 13.22 crore has been disbursed for 77 schools, with Mandi district receiving the highest share of Rs 16.19 crore between 2023 and September 2025. He directed officials to carry out restoration work on priority so that academic activities are not hampered.
He also stressed that funds under the Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) must be used carefully, giving first priority to schools with over 75 per cent damage.
Poor drainage led to Shimla landslide: Janartha
Shimla Congress MLA Harish Janartha blamed poor drainage and sewage near Portmore Government School for Tuesday’s landslide in the state capital.
He visited the affected areas at Himland, where heavy rains triggered a landslide on Monday night, blocking the Circular Road — Shimla’s lifeline. The road had to be closed after the slide, though no casualties were reported.
Janartha said, “The drainage and sewage system of Portmore School is not properly maintained. Leakage and poor rainwater discharge arrangements contributed to this landslide.”
Also Read: Heavy rain wreaks havoc in Dehradun; 15 dead, 16 missing
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