Latest news with #VikramadityaSingh
Indian Express
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
HP to seek help from IITs, ISRO to study causes of repeated natural disasters
Worried over frequent natural calamities, the Himachal Pradesh government would seek assistance from the Indian institutes of technology (IITs) in Mandi and Roorkee, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and other expert agencies to study the causes of such repeated disasters in the hill state, minister Vikramaditya Singh said on Wednesday. The public works minister, who visited Mandi town along with local MLA Anil Sharma and Mayor Virendra Bhatt Sharma to assess the damage and loss on Jail Road and other places due to flash floods triggered by a cloudburst on Monday night, said the Congress government in the state is extremely sensitive about the recurring natural disasters, particularly in Mandi district. Three people were killed in the Monday incident, a large number of vehicles were buried and several houses were inundated. So far, 21 people have died in Mandi district in rain-related incidents in the ongoing monsoon season. Of the victims, 17 died in cloudbursts, while 27 people are still missing. 'The state government is firmly standing by the affected people and providing relief to them. Restoration operations are going on in full swing and heavy machinery has been deployed to remove debris and clear the blocked roads,' Singh told reporters. The matter has been discussed in detail during a cabinet meeting and the government is preparing a report on an 'early-warning system' and climate change, the minister said, adding that the Centre's assistance would also be sought. Meanwhile, expressing concern over the rising frequency of natural disasters in Himachal Pradesh, including cloudbursts and flash floods, Congress spokesperson and Theog MLA Kuldeep Singh Rathore Wednesday said that unchecked environmental interference, unscientific excavation, illegal mining, and excessive tree felling could be contributing factors.
Time of India
30-07-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Landslide-hit Himachal eyes AI early warning system
Kullu: Himachal Pradesh govt is working on an AI-based early warning system that can provide timely evacuation alerts in the event of a disaster, PWD minister Vikramaditya Singh said on Wednesday after visiting flood-hit Mandi town where three members of a family were swept to their deaths on Tuesday. "The state govt is prioritising disaster preparedness. A comprehensive roadmap is being developed in collaboration with the Centre to install an AI-based early warning system," said Singh, warning that strict action will be taken against uncontrolled excavation during road construction. "Unscientific cutting of hills during highway constructions must be avoided. The state govt is serious about this issue and has raised it with National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). Development should not cause destruction. There should be sustainable development," said Singh. Himachal continued to be battered by flash floods and landslides, triggered by heavy rain for a second day on Wednesday. Over 250 roads are blocked, large areas are in darkness, and water supply lies disrupted. There is little chance of respite as the Met office has issued a yellow alert for heavy rainfall on July 31 in Kangra, Kullu, Mandi and Shimla districts. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo Chandigarh-Manali highway was blocked near Pandoh in the morning but was later reopened. A portion of the highway caved in at Kainchi Mod near Pandoh. This patch of the highway was recently rebuilt after being washed away in the floods of 2023. "We have suggested to NHAI that highway traffic between Mandi and Kullu should be diverted through alternate routes during monsoon. We are already working to upgrade the alternate link roads of Mandi-Kamand-Bajaura and Pandoh-Chailchowk," said Singh. The death toll in Himachal stood at 170 on Wednesday, and the total loss rose to nearly Rs 1,600 crore. Mandi district accounts for the highest number of those killed (35) and blocked roads (193 of 289). MSID:: 123000018 413 |
India Gazette
14-07-2025
- Climate
- India Gazette
Monsoon havoc in Himachal claims 105 lives including 61 rain-related, 44 road accidents
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], July 14 (ANI): The monsoon season has continued to wreak havoc across Himachal Pradesh, claiming a total of 105 lives between June 20 and July 14, 2025, according to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). Out of 105 deaths, 61 deaths were directly caused by rain-related calamities, including landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, drowning, fire incidents, and electrocution, as per the official cumulative report released by the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) under the Department of Revenue. Additionally, 44 people lost their lives in road accidents, which have sharply increased due to the slippery terrain, poor visibility, and road damage caused by relentless rainfall. The worst-hit district remains Mandi, accounting for 17 rain-related deaths, followed by Kangra with 14 and Hamirpur with 7. Other fatalities occurred in Kullu, Bilaspur, Una, Shimla, Chamba, and Kinnaur districts. Officials also confirmed that more than 184 people have been injured, and damages worth over 784.6 crore have been reported to both public and private property across sectors including roads, agriculture, power, education, animal husbandry, and rural infrastructure. The SDMA noted 31 flash floods, 22 cloudbursts, and 18 major landslides during this period. The authority has deployed rescue teams, and restoration efforts are ongoing in many blocked road sections and flood-hit regions. The Himachal Pradesh government has urged residents to avoid non-essential travel and stay alert to official weather warnings. Relief and ex-gratia payments are being distributed to affected families. Earlier, PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh announced interim relief of Rs 2 crore for severely affected assembly constituencies and Rs 50 lakh for others for emergency infrastructure repair. The state has appealed to the Central Government for increased support, stressing that the crisis transcends political lines and demands collective action. 'This is not the time for political rhetoric. We must rise above party lines and ensure relief reaches every affected citizen,' Singh urged. The SDMA has advised residents to avoid travel in high-risk zones, especially near hillsides and rivers, as rainfall is expected to continue. Continuous monitoring, early warning systems, and rapid response mechanisms remain activated across the state. (ANI)
India Gazette
13-07-2025
- Climate
- India Gazette
Rain-related and road accident fatalities mount in Himachal as monsoon wreaks havoc: SDMA
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], July 13 (ANI): The monsoon season continues to devastate Himachal Pradesh with heavy rains, landslides, flash floods, and infrastructural damage across districts, claiming a total of 95 lives between June 20 and July 12, 2025, according to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). Of these 95 fatalities, a significant 56 deaths have been attributed directly to rain-related disasters, including landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, and drowning incidents. District-wise data shows Mandi district reporting the highest toll in rain-linked deaths at 17, followed by Kangra (12), and Kullu (3). In addition to these, the state also recorded 39 deaths due to road accidents, with Solan (6), Chamba (6), and Kullu (7) among the worst-affected districts on this front. The loss of property and agriculture has also been extensive. The SDMA report mentions a cumulative damage of over Rs 75,195 lakh (Rs 751.95 crore) in terms of public and private property, crops, and livestock. Over 22,453 animals, including 21,500 poultry birds, have perished so far. As of July 12, 1,026 people have been injured, and 371 houses have been completely destroyed, while 1,093 houses have suffered partial damage due to the persistent onslaught of monsoon-related disasters. The SDMA continues to operate 24x7 through its Emergency Operations Centre (Helpline 1070), coordinating relief and rescue operations across affected regions. The state government, in coordination with district administrations and national agencies like NDRF, SDRF, and the Indian Air Force, continues extensive rescue and rehabilitation operations. Relief camps, offline tendering for restoration, and deployment of heavy machinery in landslide-prone zones are ongoing. PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh has announced interim relief of Rs 2 crore for severely affected assembly constituencies and Rs 50 lakh for others for emergency infrastructure repair. The state has appealed to the Central Government for increased support, stressing that the crisis transcends political lines and demands collective action. 'This is not the time for political rhetoric. We must rise above party lines and ensure relief reaches every affected citizen,' Singh urged earlier this week. The SDMA has advised residents to avoid travel in high-risk zones, especially near hillsides and rivers, as rainfall is expected to continue. Continuous monitoring, early warning systems, and rapid response mechanisms remain activated across the state. (ANI)
Deccan Herald
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Himachal govt announces Rs 2 crore each for constituencies severely affected by rains
Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh has announced a sum of Rs 2 crore each for assembly constituencies hit hard by rains and Rs 50 lakh for all assembly constituencies for restoration of roads and other made the announcement in a video, which was also uploaded to his Facebook page on are 68 assembly constituencies in Himachal Pradesh, and Mandi district has been the most affected, where rain-induced disasters have taken a toll on infrastructure and human far, since the onset of monsoon on June 20 till July 11, Himachal Pradesh has suffered losses of Rs 751 monsoon, the state witnessed 31 flash floods, 22 cloudbursts, and 17 landslides, along with heavy rains. Over 90 people have died, of which 56 died in rain-related incidents in the state.
