Flood damage estimated at Rs 900 cr, Himachal to remain on high alert for rain till Sept

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], August 9 : The recent heavy rainfall and flood situation in Himachal Pradesh has led to a devastating loss of Rs 900 crore to the Irrigation and Public Health (IPH), Public Works Department (PWD), and the state's road infrastructure, a government release said on Friday.
The state government has put all districts on high alert for rain and expected natural disasters till September. As rescue and search operations continue, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has expressed concern over the lack of immediate assistance from the Union government, though assurances of future help have been given.
In a statement reflecting the emotional toll of the disaster, CM Sukhu said, "The rescue and search operation will continue as we have sentiments that people want to see the body of their lost ones, so we shall continue operations." He added that 33 people are still missing.
With the government on high alert until September, the Chief Minister assured that officials and deputy commissioners are holding daily meetings to manage the situation.
The Chief Minister criticised the previous government for its lax policies, particularly regarding water usage by large hotels. "The previous government was very insensitive, that they used not to charge big hotels any money for water bills," Sukhu remarked.
"We have made it mandatory that we shall charge per kiloliter from them, even if they are in rural areas. Whatever money is collected from them will be spent in rural areas for providing pure drinkable water," he added.
To protect the most vulnerable populations, Sukhu assured that widows, single women, special persons, or anyone who has an income of less than a thousand rupees will not be charged for the water bill. He emphasized that income taxpayers will have to pay the bills, with a fixed rate of Rs 100 in rural areas.
Addressing the issue of flood-prone areas, the Chief Minister pointed out that the government had already notified last year that no new houses should be built near rivers and rivulets. However, in areas like Samej, where the village is old and traditionally inhabited, the floods are largely attributed to global warming.
"I have already said that both central and state governments need to do a study on disasters and floods," Sukhu added. "Those students who have suffered due to floods will be provided accommodations for schools, or special buses will be routed for them to nearby schools so that their education does not suffer," he concluded.