Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 20: In response to the escalating natural disasters wreaking havoc in Himachal Pradesh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has directed the formation of a multi-sectoral Central team to assess and manage the ongoing crisis, an official confirmed on Sunday.
During a high-level review meeting, Shah was briefed about the sharp surge in cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides, and intense rainfall that have led to widespread loss of life, destruction of infrastructure, and severe environmental damage across the state.
Taking immediate cognizance, the Home Minister ordered the formation of a multi-disciplinary team consisting of experts from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, IIT Indore, and senior geologists. The aim of the team is to undertake a comprehensive assessment and suggest preventive and corrective strategies for the region’s growing vulnerability to natural calamities.
Even before receiving a formal memorandum from the state government, the Central Government had proactively deployed an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) to conduct on-the-spot assessments in the flood and landslide-hit regions. The IMCT began its visit to the affected districts on July 18, and the tour is expected to conclude on July 21.
A total of 13 teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have also been stationed across the state, actively engaged in rescue and relief operations amidst challenging weather conditions.
An official statement underlined that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government stands united with all states during disasters, irrespective of politics, and Himachal Pradesh is no exception.
In a significant financial commitment, a high-level committee headed by HM Shah has approved a funding package of Rs 2,006.40 crore for recovery and reconstruction in disaster-hit areas of Himachal for the year 2023. As part of this, the first instalment of Rs 451.44 crore was disbursed on July 7.
Additionally, Rs 198.80 crore, the Central share from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), was released earlier on June 18, reinforcing the government’s swift response to the crisis.
Beyond financial aid, the Indian Army, Air Force, and NDRF teams have all been mobilized with full logistical support to assist the state administration in managing the emergency and mitigating further damage.
As Himachal Pradesh continues to grapple with the fury of nature, the Centre’s prompt action reflects a coordinated and sensitive approach to disaster management at the national level.