Himachal Assembly voices concern over monsoon havoc in Chamba, Kangra and Kullu

The Himachal Pradesh Assembly on Wednesday discussed at length the grim situation created by heavy rains and natural calamities in Chamba, Kangra and Kullu districts.

Replying to a debate under Rule 62, Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi said the government’s foremost priority is to rescue pilgrims stranded on the Manimahesh Yatra route in Chamba and restore mobile networks in the affected areas to establish contact with those trapped.

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The issue was raised earlier by Chamba Congress MLA Neeraj Nayar, Churah BJP MLA Dr Hans Raj and Dalhousie BJP MLA D S Thakur, who demanded urgent and large-scale measures to deal with the situation.

Negi said that during the past 72 hours, Chamba, Kangra and Kullu have been the worst affected. However, improvement in the weather has allowed relief operations to gain pace. In the last 24 hours, Chamba alone recorded 1,789 percent above normal rainfall, leading to floods and landslides that blocked the Pathankot–Chamba National Highway, leaving over 100 vehicles stranded. On the Manimahesh route, more than 1,000 vehicles remain stuck.

He informed the House that around 150 pilgrims are stranded at Dal Lake, over 100 at Gauri Kund, 500 at Dhanchho, more than 150 at Hadsar, nearly 1,000 at Luna, 20 at Kugti and more than 600 at Chaurasi temple. Some unwell pilgrims have already been airlifted from Gauri Kund to Chamba, and if required, further helicopter evacuations will be arranged.

Negi accused the opposition of exaggerating figures to spread panic, but admitted that Chamba district is presently cut off from the rest of the country.

He said the government is focused on restoring road connectivity to Chamba at the earliest.

He further asserted that the relief package being provided by the Himachal Pradesh government is among the best in the country.

Earlier, Neeraj Nayar had highlighted the scale of loss of life and property in Chamba due to incessant rains, saying thousands of pilgrims were stranded on the Manimahesh route and that lack of mobile networks was preventing accurate estimates.

Dr Hans Raj claimed nearly 10,000 pilgrims were stranded, causing great anxiety among their families. He urged the government to form a special task force to ensure safe evacuation of pilgrims and local residents.
D S Thakur demanded a special relief package for Chamba and immediate, effective steps to assist the affected people.