Shimla, June 1: Facing an alarming rise in cloudbursts, flash floods and landslides, the Himachal Pradesh government has unveiled a ₹2,688-crore disaster resilience programme aimed at protecting lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure from climate-related disasters.
The HP-READY (Himachal Pradesh Resilient Action for Development and Disaster Recovery) project, to be implemented between January 2026 and November 2030, marks a major policy shift from post-disaster relief to long-term resilience and preparedness.
Over the last three years, Himachal Pradesh has witnessed more than 66 cloudbursts, 234 landslides and 121 flash floods, causing extensive loss of life and damage worth thousands of crores to public and private assets.
The project seeks to rebuild and strengthen disaster-hit roads, water supply schemes, sanitation networks and power infrastructure while enhancing the state's capacity to withstand future calamities.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the increasing frequency of disasters had forced the government to rethink its approach.
"The natural disasters witnessed during the last three years have compelled us to shift from relief-centric governance to resilience-centric governance. HP-READY is our roadmap to protect lives, livelihoods and developmental assets," he said.
The initiative will strengthen early warning systems, promote disaster-resilient infrastructure, encourage scientific land-use planning and improve community preparedness through technology and grassroots participation.
Special training programmes will be rolled out for Panchayati Raj institutions, Mahila Mandals, Yuvak Mandals and schoolchildren to create a culture of disaster readiness across the state.
The project will also develop a disaster risk financing and insurance framework, revive livelihoods in affected areas and establish a dedicated Project Management Unit for implementation and monitoring.
Sukhu said the programme reflects the government's belief that "development without resilience is not sustainable" and will prioritize vulnerable districts and communities to ensure Himachal's growth remains protected from climate-related disruptions.
