Central Team Evaluates Flood Damage in Himachal Pradesh

Assessment of Monsoon Damage in Himachal Pradesh

Subhash Mahajan
Chamba

A team from the Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) has arrived in Himachal Pradesh to evaluate the destruction caused by flash floods, landslides, cloudbursts, and heavy rainfall during the monsoon season of 2026. The team convened a review meeting with local administrative and departmental officials at Chuwari.

The meeting was led by M. Ramachandrudu, Joint Secretary (Disaster Management-II) from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Chairman of the IMCT, with Additional Deputy Commissioner Amit Mehra overseeing the discussions. The district administration provided a comprehensive presentation detailing the damages to infrastructure such as roads, water supply, electricity, residential buildings, agriculture, livestock, and educational facilities, as well as the relief and rehabilitation efforts that have been initiated.

Following the meeting, the central team visited areas in Bhatiyat that were affected by the disaster, including Kalighar and Tikar Gala, to conduct on-site evaluations. They assessed the damage firsthand and reviewed the progress of relief and restoration initiatives. Team members engaged with local officials to collect information regarding losses and the ongoing recovery operations.

The IMCT included several key members: Prakash Chand, Director of the Central Water Commission (Ministry of Jal Shakti); Dr. Subhash Chandra, Director of the Wheat Development Directorate in Gurugram (Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare); Ramavatar Meena, Director from the Ministry of Rural Development; Shashwat Mohapatra, Executive Engineer from the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways; Kanav Dua, Deputy Director from the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance; and Dr. Shashivardhan Reddy, Scientist at the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), ISRO.

Additional attendees included Sunil Verma, Additional Secretary (Revenue); Manish Soni, SDM Bhatiyat; Jai Chand, Tehsildar; Dr. Kuldeep Jamwal, Divisional Forest Officer; Anil Gurada, Block Development Officer; Rakesh Thakur, Executive Engineer; Narendra Chaudhary, along with other departmental officials.