Chief Secretary reviews disaster loss assessment with IMCT

Chief Secretary K.K. Pant today reviewed the losses and assessed the extensive damage caused by monsoon-related cloudbursts, flash floods and landslides across all 12 districts of Himachal Pradesh in a meeting with the Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) held here at the conclusion of its four-day visit to the State.

The IMCT held detailed interactions with senior officers and representatives of various state government departments. The team requested the concerned departments to prepare and submit the Final Memorandum of Losses strictly in accordance with the prescribed SDRF/NDRF norms and guidelines, duly supported by relevant records and documentation. The IMCT also emphasized the importance of accurate sector-wise assessment, verification of losses and timely submission of the requisite details.

The Chief Secretary said that the ground-level challenges and the comparatively high cost of restoration and reconstruction in a hill state like Himachal Pradesh should be duly considered while assessing the damages and recommending additional financial assistance from the Government of India. It was further informed that after submission of the final memorandum and completion of the assessment process, the matter would be taken up with the concerned authorities in the Ministry of Home Affairs for consideration of additional financial assistance as per the prescribed procedure.

The Chief Secretary also highlighted the need for revision of the existing SDRF/NDRF norms, particularly in view of the State’s difficult geographical terrain, high cost of infrastructure restoration and its recurring vulnerability to natural disasters. The IMCT assured that the concerns would be appropriately conveyed to the concerned authorities at the Central level.

During the meeting, the Director-cum-Special Secretary (Revenue-DM), Dr. Pushpender Rana presented the memorandum of losses, detailing financial damages amounting to Rs. 3,412.80 crore across various key sectors, including PWD roads, Jal Shakti drinking water schemes, power infrastructure and agricultural land. While briefing the IMCT, Sh. Rana highlighted the fragile Himalayan terrain and geographical challenges faced by the state and emphasized the need for early release of assistance under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to facilitate the restoration of critical infrastructure and provide timely support to affected communities, particularly in view of the approaching winter season.

Secretaries, Head of the Departments and Senior officers of various departments were also present in the meeting.