Having lost over 1,200 houses and 13,646 hectare of farmland during monsoon, timely relief and mitigation of disaster for future are in the wish list of affected people in Himachal Pradesh.
All eyes are set on the Centre for assistance, as the Inter-ministerial Central Team that visited the state, recently, would submit its report to the central government about the devastation in the state.
As many as 33 human lives were lost and around 610 animals perished, besides heavy damages caused to public and private property in several parts of the state during the rainy season.
During the season, particularly on August 14-15, heavy rain caused a loss of Rs 831.61 crore to the state. The state government has provided only Rs 79.47 crore relief as per the state manual.
Rain devastated 1,286 houses and 321 sheds across the state, besides 17,246 kilometre of roads, 1,008 bridges and culverts. As many as 1,969 drinking water schemes, too, were damaged.
A government official said the central team was convinced with the losses stated by state government to the Centre. "After the team visited the rain-hit areas, people expressed their anguish and pain. The team was convinced and we are hopeful of getting the relief soon," he said.
{{/usCountry}}A government official said the central team was convinced with the losses stated by state government to the Centre. "After the team visited the rain-hit areas, people expressed their anguish and pain. The team was convinced and we are hopeful of getting the relief soon," he said.
{{/usCountry}}People were aggressive while apprising the Inter-ministerial Central Team about the rain losses.
Most of the people in Kangra, Hamirpur, Mandi and Sirmaur demanded to channelise the rivulets that have been causing damage every year. In Bajroh panchayat of Hamirpur, heavy rain devastated houses, farm land and government property. It was Chainth Khadd-a rivulet that caused the disaster.
Onkar Singh, vice-president of Bajroh panchayat, said the state government has given the relief as per the state manual, which was insufficient to meet the losses. He said all 'khadds' in the area have become dangerous and in the next monsoon could cause more losses.
"There are boulders and a lot of debris in all khadds due to flood in last monsoon. It should be cleared and khadds should be channelised," he said.
He also demanded the state government as well as the Centre to provide financial assistance so that people could meet their financial losses, which were in crores.
As per the state government's record, over 500 houses were fully damaged, while the rest have been damaged severely or partially. As per the state manual, Rs 70,000 were provided for fully damaged 'pucca' house, while Rs 40,000 were given for fully damaged 'kuchha'house.
Inter-ministerial Central Team visited Kangra, Hamirpur, Mandi and Sirmaur district on November 27, 28.
Damages caused during monsoon
House damaged: 1,286
Roads damaged: 1,7246 kilometer
Water supply scheme damaged: 1,969
Losses to various departments
Public works department: Rs. 450 crore
Irrigation and Public health: Rs. 120 crore
Horticulture: Rs. 162 crore
Agriculture: Rs. 27 crore
Health: Rs 12 crore
Power: Rs 3.87 crore