Yog Raj Sharma
The North News
Shimla, July 8
The Himachal Pradesh government has expressed serious concern over the growing frequency of natural disasters in the state, with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu calling for scientific investigations into the rising number of cloudbursts and flash floods. Following a high-level disaster management review meeting chaired by the Chief Minister on Monday, Principal Media Advisor Naresh Chauhan briefed the media, stating that the state had witnessed over 23 flash floods and 19 cloudbursts since the 2023 monsoon. The resulting destruction has displaced hundreds and damaged critical infrastructure.
Chauhan said more than 730 people are currently housed in 13 relief camps, while the estimated losses have crossed ₹700 crore. In the current monsoon spell, Mandi district recorded 123% excess rainfall and Shimla 105%, causing widespread landslides and home collapses. The government has launched an ₹891 crore disaster risk reduction initiative, which includes strengthening the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), establishing a new training and research centre in Palampur linked with Himachal Pradesh University, and training nearly 70,000 citizens in civil defence and disaster response.
CM Sukhu has written to the Union Home Minister and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, requesting a scientific inquiry into the surge in extreme weather events. “We need to understand the causes behind this pattern and develop technical solutions to mitigate it,” Chauhan said.
In response to reckless infrastructure practices, the state has decided to make scientific dumping sites mandatory for all construction projects. “If needed, the government will acquire private land for this purpose,” he said, highlighting concerns over unregulated road cutting and debris dumping.
The government has also mandated prior approval from the Town and Country Planning Department for any commercial construction on land exceeding 100 square metres in rural areas.
Chauhan revealed that over 25,000 homes have been damaged since 2023, many of which were built without geotechnical surveys. As a result, the state will now require mandatory site assessments and geosafety clearance for new construction.
On the issue of floating timber after heavy rainfall, Chauhan hinted at the possible role of organised timber mafias. “This is a serious concern and needs both scientific and administrative investigation,” he added.
CM Sukhu has already visited Mandi and is scheduled to visit the affected areas again on 8 July. Relief efforts are being led by senior ministers, SDRF, NDRF teams and district administrations.
