Lok Sabha Question No. 1554 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-12
Subject: Losses due to Unexpected Rains
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Kishan Kapoor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1554

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12 TH  DECEMBER, 2023/ AGRAHAYANA 21, 1945 (SAKA)

LOSSES DUE TO UNEXPECTED RAINS

†1554. SHRI KISHAN KAPOOR:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has made any assessment of the loss of life and property caused in the State of Himachal Pradesh due to unexpected rains in the month of August this year;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether any financial assistance has been provided by the Government to Himachal Pradesh in view of the said calamity; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a)  to  (d):    As  per  Memorandum  submitted  by  the  State  Government  of Himachal  Pradesh  and  assessed  by  the  Inter-Ministerial  Central  Team (IMCT)  145  human  lives  and  9482  cattle  head  have  been  reported  lost, 13,859  numbers  of  houses/  huts  and  1.05  lakh  hectares  agriculture/ horticulture cropped area is reported to have been affected due to hydro meteorological  calamities,  including  heavy  rains  in  the  month  of  August during the year 2023.

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 1554 FOR 12.12.2023

As per the National Disaster Management Policy, the primary responsibility for  disaster  management  rests  with  the  State  Governments  concerned. The  State  Governments  undertake  assessment  of  damages  and  provide relief assistance in the wake of natural disasters, from the State Disaster Response  Fund  (SDRF) already placed at their disposal. Additional financial assistance is extended from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF)  as  per  the  laid  down  procedure,  which  includes  an  assessment based on the visit of an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT).

In order to support the affected people of the State, the Central Government has released both the installments of central share of SDRF, amounting  to  Rs.  180.40  crore  each  to  State,  for immediate  relief operations.  In  addition,  an  amount  of  Rs.  200.00  crore,  has  also  been released on an 'on account' basis from NDRF to the State Government on 21 st   August  2023.  Besides,  as  reported  by  State  Accountant  General,  an amount  of  Rs.  71.51  crore  is  available  in  SDRF  account  of  Himachal Pradesh  as  on  1 st   April  2023  for  management  of  relief  necessitated  by notified  natural  disasters  including  flash  flood/  flood,  landslides  in  the affected areas during 2023.

Further,  even  before  the  receipt  of  the  memorandum  from  the  State

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 1554 FOR 12.12.2023

Government of Himachal Pradesh, an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) visited the state on 19-21 st July 2023. After the submission of memorandum from the State Government, IMCT visited on 28-30 September 2023 for on the spot assessment of the damages caused due to flood, landslides, cloudburst of 2023. The report of IMCT is placed before the Sub-Committee of National Executive Committee (SC-NEC)/ High Level Committee for consideration and approval of quantum of assistance from NDRF, as per the established procedure.

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