161 Dead, ₹3,056 Crore Loss: CM Sukhu Declares Entire Himachal ‘Disaster-Affected’

Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday declared the entire state as “disaster-affected” in view of the widespread devastation caused by incessant rains, which have led to losses exceeding ₹3,000 crore.

Speaking in the Assembly during the Monsoon Session, the Chief Minister said that a notification to this effect had been issued on Monday under Section 24 (e) of the Disaster Management Act, 2025. He said, “Cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides have caused estimated losses of ₹3,056 crore, with the maximum damage suffered by roads, bridges, water supply schemes, and power infrastructure.”

Since the onset of the monsoon on June 19, Himachal has recorded 45 cloudbursts, 91 flash floods, and 105 major landslides, resulting in 161 deaths and 40 people reported missing. The worst-affected districts include Chamba, Mandi, Kullu, Shimla, Kangra, and Kinnaur.

Clarifying on reports from Chamba’s Bharmour area during the Manimahesh Yatra, Sukhu said there was no discrepancy over the death toll. “Sixteen pilgrims have lost their lives, and four bodies remain trapped in Kugti village. The district administration has deployed 20 porters to retrieve the bodies, but continuous rainfall has hampered the process,” he said.

The Chief Minister also informed the House that he had received a letter from former CM Shanta Kumar on August 27, expressing concern over the scale of destruction. “I appreciate Shanta Kumar ji for writing to the Prime Minister and the Centre, urging them to provide a special relief package of ₹20,000 crore to Himachal Pradesh by tapping into the ₹2 lakh crore lying unclaimed in various banks,” Sukhu said.

Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, however, raised concerns that over 500 people were still stranded in Bharmour as they were unable to move on foot. He urged that road connectivity be restored at the earliest to facilitate their evacuation.