Central Team to Study and Address Increasing Natural Disasters in Himachal Pradesh

Strategic Insights -

Union home minister Amit Shah has directed the formation of a multi-sectoral central team to study and address the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters in Himachal Pradesh. The team, comprising experts from various government institutions, will assess the damages and provide recommendations to mitigate the impact of future disasters. The Union government has already approved an outlay of Rs.2,006.4 crore for recovery and reconstruction in areas affected by disasters like floods, landslides, and cloudbursts for 2023. The Centre has also released the first instalment of the central share of Rs.198.8 crore to Himachal Pradesh for relief measures of immediate nature. Around 13 teams of NDRF are deployed in Himachal Pradesh for rescue and relief operations.

Key Takeaways:

  • A multi-sectoral central team has been formed to study and address the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters in Himachal Pradesh.
  • The team consists of experts from National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Geologist, and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Indore.
  • Union home minister Amit Shah has directed the formation of the team, and the Union government has already approved an outlay of Rs.2,006.4 crore for recovery and reconstruction in areas affected by disasters.
  • The Centre has released the first instalment of the central share of Rs.198.8 crore to Himachal Pradesh for relief measures of immediate nature.
  • Around 13 teams of NDRF are deployed in Himachal Pradesh for rescue and relief operations.
  • Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has attributed the increase in monsoon disasters to climate change.
  • An estimated loss of Rs.1,100 crore is expected due to the recent disaster.
  • At least 85 lives have been lost, and 34 people are still missing in rain-related incidents in the hill state.
  • The monsoon tourism season has been severely affected, with a key hydro-electric project in Mandi district alone suffering losses of Rs.100 crore.
  • Anil Kulkarni, a distinguished visiting scientist, has attributed the increase in disasters to climate change, lack of urban planning, and agricultural practices.

Statistics:

  • Rs.2,006.4 crore: the amount approved by the Union government for recovery and reconstruction in areas affected by disasters in Himachal Pradesh for 2023.
  • Rs.451.44 crore: the first instalment of the approved amount, released on July 7.
  • Rs.198.8 crore: the first instalment of the central share released to Himachal Pradesh for relief measures of immediate nature.
  • Rs.100 crore: the estimated loss suffered by a hydro-electric project in Mandi district due to the recent disaster.
  • 13: the number of NDRF teams deployed in Himachal Pradesh for rescue and relief operations.
  • 85: the number of lives lost in rain-related incidents in the hill state.
  • 34: the number of people still missing in rain-related incidents in the hill state.
  • Rs.1,100 crore: the estimated loss due to the recent disaster.

Sources:

  • Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
  • Hindustan Times