New Delhi: The Union home ministry announced on Sunday the release of Rs 200 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund as advance assistance to Himachal Pradesh to aid the rain-battered state in carrying out relief measures for affected individuals.
As per the ministry's spokesperson, the Central government had previously sanctioned the advance release of Rs 360.80 crore from the Central share of the State Disaster Response Fund, in two separate installments on July 10 and 17.
Additionally, the government disbursed Rs 189.27 crore, representing the state's past dues from the National Disaster Response Fund on August 7, as per the spokesperson.
The ministry stated, "The home ministry has approved the release of Rs 200 crore, as an advance from the National Disaster Response Fund to the government of Himachal Pradesh to help them undertake relief measures for affected people during the ongoing monsoon season."
Furthermore, the government is maintaining constant vigilance over the situation in Himachal Pradesh and extending essential logistical and financial support to the state government for efficient crisis management.
To aid in rescue and relief efforts, 20 teams from the National Disaster Response Force, nine columns of the Indian Army, and three helicopters from the Indian Air Force were deployed in Himachal Pradesh.
The Central government, without waiting for a memorandum from the state government, dispatched inter-ministerial central teams to conduct on-the-spot assessments of the situation and the relief operations being carried out by the state government, according to the spokesperson. These Central teams visited the affected areas in the state from July 19 to 21.
According to data from the home ministry, the monsoon's onset in Himachal Pradesh has led to the unfortunate loss of at least 330 lives due to rains, floods, landslides, and lightning. This deluge has affected all 12 districts of Himachal Pradesh, with the state experiencing 25 landslides and one cloudburst in the past week, as reported in the data.
