Himachal Pradesh Battles Natural Disaster: Urgent Need for National Attention and Aid
Onkar Shad
SINCE June 2025, Himachal Pradesh has been facing one of the worst natural disasters in its history. Continuous heavy rainfall has triggered devastating flash floods and massive landslides across the state, causing widespread destruction and suffering.
The scale of damage is enormous. Lives have been lost, and thousands have been displaced. Livestock, homes, cowsheds, shops, milk chilling plants, dispensaries, schools, roads, bridges, flyovers, hydroelectric projects, and even traditional water mills (gharats) have been washed away or buried under landslides. Standing crops of agriculture and horticulture – particularly apples, a major industry in the state – have been badly affected.
Key services like electricity, water supply, transportation, and communication networks are disrupted. Government buildings, private vehicles, forests, and privately owned trees have also suffered huge losses. The destruction continues daily, as fresh landslides damage more property and endanger more lives.
A total of 45 cloudbursts, 97 flash floods, and 137 major landslides have been reported from various parts of the state. Due to these incidents, 378 people have lost their lives, 437 have been injured, and 40 are reported missing. Additionally, 1,237 houses have been fully damaged, while 5,319 houses have been partially damaged. 684 roads remain blocked, and 423 water supply schemes have been disrupted (June 20, 2025 to September 9, 2025).
The estimated loss to agriculture crops is Rs 5164 lakhs, and Rs 2,743 lakhs to horticulture crops.
While the government’s official estimate of the damage stands at Rs 5,000 crore, unofficial sources suggest the losses have already crossed Rs 15,000 crore and are rising rapidly.
Mandi, Kullu, and Chamba districts are the worst affected by the disaster. Roads are blocked, cutting off access to several regions. Apple growers are unable to transport their produce to markets, and as a result, prices have dropped drastically. This is a major blow to the Rs 6,000-crore apple industry – the backbone of Himachal’s economy.
Despite the severity of the crisis, the central government has not provided any additional assistance beyond Himachal Pradesh’s share under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). No special aid has been granted so far, even though similar disasters in other states have drawn immediate national response.
The ruling Congress party in the state has alleged political discrimination by the BJP-led central government, accusing it of ignoring the state in this time of need because of political differences.
Himachal Pradesh is a small hill state that was created in response to the aspirations of its people, despite lacking financial viability at the time. It was initially granted "special category" status to help manage its economic challenges, but this was withdrawn following recommendations by the 9th Finance Commission. Since then, the state has struggled with limited resources, particularly during emergencies.
The state also plays a crucial ecological role for the entire nation. Commercial felling of trees has been banned in Himachal for decades. As a result, it acts as a carbon sink, helping to absorb carbon emissions generated elsewhere in the country. Yet, there has been no compensation or recognition from the central government for this contribution to national environmental goals.
PEOPLE'S RESPONSE
AND SOLIDARITY
In the face of disaster, the people of Himachal Pradesh have shown remarkable courage and unity. Local communities are actively participating in rescue and restoration efforts. Citizens are contributing food, clothes, money, and labour to help affected families. Mass organisations and the state party committees are also deeply involved in relief activities in their respective areas.
The CPI(M) state committee has pledged to strengthen connections with the public and expand the reach of organisations like Kisan Sabha to help mobilise support and address people’s grievances more effectively.
The state committee has expressed strong disappointment with the lack of involvement from Himachal Pradesh’s Members of Parliament, including four Lok Sabha and three Rajya Sabha representatives. J P Nadda, a senior BJP leader and national figure from Himachal, has also remained silent, which has drawn sharp criticism. Rather than demanding national disaster status or aid, some MPs are accused of playing politics during this humanitarian crisis.
The prime minister visited the state more than two months after the disaster began and announced the immediate release of the state's share of the NDRF in advance, along with a relief package of Rs 1,500 crores. He also announced Rs 2 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives and Rs 50,000 for the injured. However, this support is too little and too late, as the actual losses are significantly higher.
There is an urgent need for a comprehensive and rapid assessment of the real extent of the damage, and relief measures must be based on ground realities to ensure that affected communities receive adequate support.
Key Demands
The CPI(M) state committee has made the following demands:
1. Immediate grant of Rs 5,000 crore as relief from the central government.
2. Declaration of Himachal Pradesh as a national disaster zone.
3. Amendment of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, to allow use of forest land for rehabilitation and resettlement of displaced people.
4. Recognition and compensation for the state’s role as a carbon sink.
5. A united front through an all-party meeting to pressure the central government for justice and support.
Himachal Pradesh is in a state of emergency. The disaster is not just local – it affects the ecological and environmental balance of the entire nation. This is not the time for political calculations; this is the time for unity, empathy, and swift action. The central government must rise above politics and extend immediate and substantial support to help the state rebuild and recover.
The people of Himachal are resilient, but they cannot fight this battle alone. The country must stand with them.
