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Shimla, Sept 1: Himachal Pradesh has officially been declared a Disaster Affected State. Himachal has suffered damages worth Rs 3560 Crore so far
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu made the announcement in the Vidhan Sabha today, a move that could pave the way for a special disaster relief package from the Centre under the National Disaster Act.
CM Sukhu said the pain of Himachal and all hill states is our shared pain.
This is not just a geographical crisis but a matter of national concern, because the brunt of global warming is felt most severely in the mountains. Timely awareness and action are the greatest needs of today.
I urge the central government to put a stop to reckless construction, because our mountains are not just tourist destinations – they are the pillars of life and survival.”
Declaring it a national disaster affected state expected to strengthen Himachal’s case for a bigger central aid to rebuild shattered infrastructure and provide relief to affected families.
The CM said the government will press hard for a comprehensive package to mitigate the unprecedented destruction caused by this year’s heavy rains, cloudbursts, and landslides.
Sukhu informed the Vidhan Sabha that by August 31, 2025, the state had suffered initial losses pegged at ₹3,560 crore, the worst damage reported to road networks, water supply schemes, power infrastructure, and crops.
The most affected districts include Chamba, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, Mandi, Shimla, Kangra and Hamirpur.
Rescue efforts at Manimahesh
Chamba district was hit the hardest, especially along the Manimahesh Yatra route, where thousands of stranded pilgrims were evacuated. Sukhu said that evacuation operations were carried out jointly by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), ITBP, police and local volunteers.
Around 15,000 pilgrims, out of which 10,000 were moved to safety by HRTC buses, have already been shifted to secure locations, while efforts are on to move the remaining groups stuck at remote shelters.
The CM himself visited the affected sites, reviewed relief arrangements, and directed officials to ensure stranded devotees were provided with food, shelter, and medical care.
State on high alert
Sukhu said the state government has been functioning in “war mode” with the Chief Secretary continuously monitoring the situation.
On August 29, he also held a video conference with all deputy commissioners, departments and agencies to scale up relief measures.
On August 30, the CM conducted an aerial survey of Kangra and Chamba to assess the ground reality. Teams carried medicines, rations, and emergency supplies to cut-off areas in Chamba’s Bharmour and Bansar regions.
Roads, power, and telecom restored
Authorities have now reopened the Chamba–Bharmour road up to 25 km, as well as alternative routes via Liwahi–Ikhli to enable smooth passage of yatris. Three satellite phones have been installed in Bharmour to ensure effective communication, besides restoring two Airtel towers.
In Kullu and Mandi districts, NH-154 and other key roads have been restored on a war footing. Small vehicles have resumed movement on Dekkan–Daksal road, while stranded trucks and supply vehicles continue to be cleared.
Power supply has been restored at most locations, and BSNL connectivity has been revived across remote pockets.
In Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur, road clearance is in full swing. Mobile networks are gradually being restored, while the flood-damaged old Manali bridge has also been repaired for local use.
Humanitarian measures
The CM said that food packets, drinking water, LPG cylinders, and other essentials have been supplied to disaster-hit families. Affected people are being shifted to relief camps, hostels, women shelters and religious places for safety.
On August 31, stranded passengers were airlifted by the Air Force from Deylang in Kullu, including five seriously ill persons—a pregnant woman and a child—who were shifted to the regional hospital in Kullu.
National concern
Sukhu, while briefing the House, said the scale of devastation this year is far beyond the state’s capacity to handle. He appealed to the Centre to treat this as a “national disaster”, stressing that global warming is hitting the Himalayas the hardest.
“Our mountains are not just tourist spots, they are lifelines for survival. Reckless construction must stop, and sustainable planning is the need of the hour,” Sukhu said.
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