New Delhi, July 20:
In response to the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters in Himachal Pradesh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has directed the formation of a multi-sectoral Central team, an official confirmed on Sunday.
During a recent high-level meeting, Shah was briefed on the growing incidence of cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides, and torrential rainfall that have caused widespread devastation—including loss of lives, destruction of infrastructure, and environmental degradation.
Acting swiftly, the Home Minister ordered the formation of a Central team comprising experts from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) Roorkee, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) Pune, IIT Indore, and geologists, to conduct a detailed assessment and recommend mitigation strategies.
In anticipation of monsoon-related disasters in 2025, the Central government has already deployed an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) in Himachal Pradesh for an on-the-spot damage assessment. The IMCT is scheduled to visit affected regions from July 18–21.
Currently, 13 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are operating in the state, carrying out rescue and relief operations.
“The Central government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stands firmly with all states during times of crisis, without discrimination,” the official statement read.
A high-level committee chaired by Amit Shah had earlier approved an allocation of ₹2,006.40 crore to Himachal Pradesh for reconstruction and recovery efforts following the 2023 monsoon disasters. The first instalment of ₹451.44 crore was released on July 7, 2024.
Additionally, ₹198.80 crore from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) was released on June 18, 2024, as the Central share to assist affected communities.
The Centre has also extended logistical support through deployment of NDRF, Army, and Air Force teams to aid the state’s disaster management efforts.
