In a show of solidarity with the disaster-affected communities of Himachal Pradesh, Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla today distributed food and relief material at an event held at the Banikhet Nagar Panchayat auditorium in Dalhousie subdivision of Chamba district.
Addressing the gathering, the Governor acknowledged that Himachal Pradesh has become increasingly vulnerable to natural disasters, especially since 2023, with frequent incidents causing significant loss of life, property, and disruption to development projects.
Emphasizing the urgent need for the conservation of natural resources, Governor Shukla said that the rising frequency of disasters highlights the environmental challenges facing the state. He also informed the public about the ₹1,500 crore relief package recently provided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with the assurance of additional support based on assessments carried out by central teams.
The Governor expressed gratitude to the Central Government and the Government of Uttar Pradesh for sending food and relief materials to the state. In light of ongoing needs, he directed local representatives to submit updated lists of required materials to the Governor’s Secretariat, State Red Cross, and the District Administration for swift action.
Shukla praised the resilience and unity shown by the people of the region during these difficult times. “Despite facing adversity, the people have displayed exceptional courage, patience, and strength,” he remarked, adding that he is hopeful for a return to normalcy in the next two to three months
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As part of his visit, the Governor also flagged off relief vehicles carrying supplies to other affected areas and conducted an on-ground inspection of several disaster-hit sites, including National Highway 154-A, Banikhet town, Kakiyana village, and Chauhda. He issued necessary instructions to the concerned departments for expediting repair and rehabilitation work.
Prominent leaders present at the event included MLA Vipin Parmar, Dr. Hansraj, and DS Thakur, who shared their perspectives on disaster response efforts. Also in attendance were former MLA Bikram Singh Jaryal, Pawan Nayyar, BJP District President Dheeraj Naryal, Secretary to the Governor CP Verma, Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Repaswal, Superintendent of Police Abhishek Yadav, SDM Anil Bhardwaj, and other local dignitaries.
