Himachal Pradesh suffered losses of about ₹8,000 crore due to rain: CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu

Himachal Pradesh has suffered losses of about ₹8,000 crore as heavy rains wreaked havoc in the hill State, triggering landslides and flash floods and damaging roads and other infrastructure, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on July 15.

Himachal Pradesh has suffered losses of about ₹8,000 crore as heavy rains wreaked havoc in the hill State, triggering landslides and flash floods and damaging roads and other infrastructure, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on July 15.

According to the State emergency response centre, the losses amounted to about ₹4,000 crore till Friday night and Mr. Sukhu had sought an interim relief of ₹2,000 crore from the Union Home Ministry.

“About 70,000 tourists have been evacuated from the State and 15,000 vehicles sent out, while around 500 tourists have voluntarily decided to stay back,” Mr. Sukhu said in a statement issued, in Shimla.

Some tourists stuck at Kasol, Manikaran and other adjoining areas in Kullu district refused to move out without their vehicles and have decided to stay back for a few more days till the situation normalises and all roads are opened.

Due to a heavy landslide near Dunkhara on the Kasol-Bhuntar road, the vehicles could not be moved and the tourists had to trek to reach the other side. However the State government said these tourists are being taken care of.

“Electricity, water and mobile phone services have been temporarily restored in 80% of the disaster-affected areas and efforts are being made to restore essential services in the remaining areas at the earliest,” the statement said.