Una, September 17 – Una district has suffered losses of approximately ?340 crore so far due to heavy rains and landslides during this monsoon season. Deputy Commissioner Jatin Lal stated that the Public Works Department has suffered losses of ?191 crore, while the Water Power Department and the Swan New Flood Management Project have suffered losses of approximately ?125 crore. Other departments and private properties have also suffered significant damage, affecting many families.
The Deputy Commissioner stated that, in accordance with Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu's directives, all possible assistance has been ensured to all affected families, and the administration is engaged in relief and restoration work with utmost seriousness and promptness.
He provided this information following the Chief Minister's disaster review meeting, held online from Shimla on Wednesday. During the meeting, the Chief Minister directed the Deputy Commissioners to personally visit the affected areas and expedite ground-level relief and rehabilitation efforts. He also emphasized the need to maximize the benefits of the government's monthly rental assistance to families displaced by the disaster.
Currently, under a special relief package, the Himachal government is providing monthly rental assistance of ?10,000 in urban areas and ?5,000 in rural areas to homeless families. The government is also considering relaxing the rental requirements to benefit more families.
The Deputy Commissioner stated that 24 concrete and 81 kutcha houses have been completely damaged in the district so far, while 381 concrete and 543 kutcha houses have been partially damaged. Additionally, 35 shops and 503 cattle sheds have also been affected. Most roads have been restored, while large-scale landslides remain obstructed in some parts of the Bangana region, and restoration work is ongoing at a war footing.
During this time, Additional Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Bhatia, Superintending Engineer of Public Works Department Harsh Puri, Superintending Engineer of Water Power Department Naresh Dhiman, District Revenue Officer Ajay Kumar and other officers were present in the NIC room of the DC office along with the Deputy Commissioner.