Punjab Newsline, Shimla, October 26-
ACS Onkar Chand Sharma today chaired a debriefing meeting with the IMCT, which was on three-day visit to the state for assessing damages caused by severe cloud-bursts and flash floods during this monsoon season. The IMCT’s visit was part of a coordinated effort to evaluate the extensive impact on infrastructure, human lives and agricultural assets across the state
Sharma said that the state government presented a comprehensive memorandum of damages and losses resulting from natural calamities, with the cumulative loss estimated at approximately Rs. 1,613.50 crore to the Central government. He detailed the challenges faced by the state and said that monsoon-induced landslides, cloud-bursts and flash floods severely impacted roads, irrigation schemes and residential areas.
He said that the state endured 46 landslides, 12 cloud-bursts and 39 flash floods across various regions, resulting in devastating losses. These incidents led to loss of 174 lives with an additional 144 fatalities indirectly linked to rainfall-related hazards. Approximately 206 individuals sustained injuries, 31 remain missing and livestock casualties reached 222. Furthermore, 1405 houses and animal shelters suffered partial or complete damage. An estimated Rs. 621.77 crore has been allocated by the state for immediate restoration efforts, primarily for damaged roads and bridges.