CM Sukhu today visited the flood and landslide-affected areas of Kullu district, where he assessed the damage caused by recent flash floods and cloudbursts. During his visit, he interacted with affected families and assured them of all possible assistance from the State Government. The Chief Minister traveled from Jubbarhatti Airport, Shimla to Kullu in an Air Force helicopter, which also carried essential supplies including rations for the affected communities.
CM Sukhu inspected the damaged infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and private properties in areas such as Vashisth Chowk, Manali, Bahang, and Old Manali. He also visited Akhara Bazaar in Kullu, where heavy landslides resulted in the destruction of homes and tragic loss of life. Expressing condolences to the bereaved families, he directed the local administration to accelerate relief and rescue operations, and instructed BRO officials to restore the damaged roads at the earliest. He also inspected the damaged Bhootnath and Bhuntar bridges during the visit.
Addressing media in Kullu, the Chief Minister said that this year’s monsoon season has caused widespread destruction across Himachal Pradesh, leading to a heavy toll on life and property. He noted that in the past four days alone, continuous rainfall had caused additional damage in many parts of the state. The state government, he added, is doing its utmost to support affected families and has instructed all district administrations to maximize assistance on the ground.
Highlighting recent relief operations, CM Sukhu shared that the administration deployed Army Chinook and MI-17 helicopters to rescue 605 devotees stranded during the Manimahesh Yatra in Chamba district. These devotees were safely airlifted from Bharmour to Chamba and then transported free of cost to their respective homes via HRTC buses. He also announced the cancellation of all examinations in the state due to the adverse weather and disrupted connectivity.
The Chief Minister stated that efforts are also being made to ensure the transportation of produce from farmers and orchardists in affected areas to market hubs. He emphasized that restoration of road connectivity and essential services like electricity and water supply remains the top priority of the government. Families who have lost their homes completely are being provided with ₹7.70 lakh in financial assistance, and additional compensation will be given for the loss of livestock.
CM Sukhu expressed concern over the lack of support from the Central Government and said that the state is extending help to affected families from its own limited resources. He reiterated his government’s appeal to the Centre for the allocation of one bigha of forest land per family to enable relocation to safer areas. Noting that 68% of Himachal’s land is forest area, he emphasized that Central approval is mandatory for such land allotments. He urged BJP MPs to actively press the Centre for both the land allotment and a special relief package.
Taking a political swipe, the Chief Minister remarked that BJP leaders are active only on social media and have not provided ground-level assistance. In contrast, Congress leaders are actively reaching out and working with affected communities. He also revealed that the state government has prepared a ₹3,000 crore project for disaster management, which has been submitted to the World Bank for support in rebuilding and rehabilitation efforts.
Earlier, CM Sukhu had also conducted an aerial survey of affected areas in Mandi and Kullu districts, to get a broader view of the destruction. He was accompanied during the visit by MLAs Sunder Singh Thakur and Bhuvneshwar Gaur, APMC Kullu Chairman Mian Ram Singh, Deputy Commissioner Torul S. Ravish, and other senior officials
