No Special Relief Package for Disaster; Rescue Operations Continue with Limited Resources: CM Sukhu

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday said that no special relief package has been allocated for the recent disaster, and all rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts are being carried out with limited resources.

Speaking to the media at Bhuntar airport during his visit to assess the damage in the district, he urged the BJP’s national president and all seven BJP MPs from Himachal Pradesh to press the Centre for a dedicated relief package.

The Chief Minister said a ₹3,000-crore rehabilitation proposal has been submitted to the World Bank and expressed hope for its early approval. Criticizing the Leader of Opposition, Sukhu alleged that instead of making any meaningful contribution to relief operations, his presence has largely been confined to social media and political maneuvering.

Highlighting the state’s active response, he said the government has deployed an Indian Air Force Chinook helicopter to rescue over 3,500 tourists stranded during the Manimahesh Yatra in Chamba. He assured that all those stranded would be evacuated by this evening.

Arriving in Kullu on a helicopter loaded with relief supplies, the Chief Minister stressed that ration and essential commodities are being delivered to disaster-hit areas that remain cut off. Later, he flew to Manali on the same helicopter, accompanied by Manali MLA Bhuwaneshwar Gaur, Kullu Sadar MLA Sundar Singh Thakur, Deputy Commissioner Torul S. Ravish, and Superintendent of Police Kartikeyan Gokulchandran.