How is Himachal CM Responding to Heavy Rainfall?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Public Safety: Residents urged to stay away from water bodies.
- Emergency Coordination: Importance of inter-departmental collaboration emphasized.
- Financial Aid: Relief package announced amidst criticism for insufficiency.
- Response Time: Concerns raised over delays in disaster response.
- Investigation Ordered: Central team to look into natural disaster causes.
Shimla, July 21 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, convened a meeting on Monday to evaluate the circumstances emerging from the persistent heavy rains impacting various districts throughout the state.
During a virtual gathering, he instructed Deputy Commissioners to stay vigilant and implement proactive strategies to prevent any unfortunate incidents. The Chief Minister also appealed to the public to refrain from approaching rivers and streams during this monsoon season, stating, “I urge everyone to maintain distance from water bodies and adhere strictly to the advisories provided by district authorities.”
He highlighted the necessity for inter-departmental collaboration to guarantee a prompt response to emergencies such as landslides, road blockages, or flash floods. Sukhu has mandated the preservation of essential services during this period to avoid inconveniences for residents in their daily lives.
Additionally, he expressed sorrow over the tragic demise of a newlywed couple in the Sutaah gram panchayat of Chamba district, where a house succumbed to a landslide.
In a contrasting view, Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur criticized the Congress administration for its perceived insensitivity towards the natural disaster, particularly in Mandi district. The former Chief Minister remarked that an executive engineer involved in rehabilitating disaster-affected individuals was transferred due to pressure from certain leaders, leaving no senior officer in charge. “In areas afflicted by disasters, the responsibility lies with the ‘patwaris’ while the Chief Minister visited the impacted regions after nine days, announcing merely Rs 1 crore for rehabilitation efforts against the actual losses estimated at Rs 500 crore,” Thakur stated to the media.
“The pressing question is: Why hasn’t the Chief Minister, who claims to be proactive, declared a special relief package? Within the relief framework, he announced Rs 7 lakh for a damaged residence, with the state contributing Rs 4 lakh and the remainder from the Centre. However, it’s surprising that no notification regarding this aid has been issued yet,” added BJP leader Thakur.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah directed the establishment of a multi-sectoral central team on Sunday to investigate the reasons behind the increasing frequency of natural disasters in Himachal Pradesh over recent years.