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Himachal CM Sukhu: Flood Damage Worse Than 2023, But Fewer Casualties Reported
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday said that although the scale of destruction caused by the recent floods has been greater than in 2023, the number of casualties has been lower due to precautionary measures taken by his government.
Conducting an aerial survey of disaster-hit areas in Chamba and Kangra districts, the Chief Minister noted that roads, power supply, water systems, and communication networks have been severely affected—far more than during the floods two years ago.
“This year, the entire state has been battling continuous rainfall, landslides, and cloudbursts,” Sukhu told reporters. “Rehabilitation has been a major challenge for the state government, but with the people’s cooperation we will overcome it. It is our responsibility to resettle families who have lost their homes and livelihoods, and we will provide a special relief package to support them.”
He said Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, and PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh are reviewing the ground situation, while the administration is working to evacuate people stranded along routes cut off by floodwaters leading to Chamba and Bharmour.
The Chief Minister added that the Chamba district administration has been instructed to restore road connectivity at the earliest, though adverse weather remains a challenge. Evacuations in Bharmour are also dependent on weather conditions, despite helicopters being deployed. Excavators and other heavy machinery have been stationed across the district to speed up restoration efforts.
During his visit to affected areas, Sukhu also criticized BJP leaders, accusing them of spreading rumors instead of helping distressed citizens.
He further stressed the need for a study into the frequent cloudburst incidents across the state. Sukhu said he had already requested the Union Home Minister to set up an expert panel to examine the issue.
Meanwhile, thousands of pilgrims on the Manimahesh Yatra remain stranded in Chamba district, most of them in the Bharmour region.
In the past few days alone, over 560 roads have been closed, including key national highways such as the Chandigarh–Manali highway, the old Hindustan-Tibet road, the Mandi–Dharampur route, and the Aut–Sainj road.
The Chandigarh–Manali highway was once again blocked near the Hanogi Mata temple after a landslide, leading to long traffic jams on both sides.
In Manali, the situation remains dire after five days of relentless devastation. Large portions of land on the town’s right bank have been washed away by the Beas River, and the bridge connecting Old Manali has also collapsed.
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