Assembly Session: Minister proposes to declare national disaster in Himachal

August 28, 2025

There was an uproar in the Himachal Assembly today (Thursday) over the natural disaster. After this, Industry Minister Harsh Vardhan Chauhan put a proposal in the House to declare it a national disaster in view of the devastation caused by heavy rains. The opposition has also supported this proposal. Now the MLAs of the ruling party and the opposition are discussing it.

Private and government property worth more than Rs 2500 crore has been destroyed due to heavy rains in the state. During the monsoon, 310 people died, 720 houses were completely destroyed and 2669 houses were partially damaged.

In this monsoon season, 82 incidents of landslides, floods at 90 places, and cloudbursts at 41 places have caused devastation. In view of this, a proposal will be made in the House and sent to the Center for funding.

Uproar in the House over Sukhu’s absence

Earlier, there was an uproar in the House over the absence of CM Sukhwinder Sukhu in the Assembly. BJP MLA Hansraj raised the issue of damage caused by the disaster in Chamba district under the point of order.

He said that telecommunication and road connectivity has been cut off in Churah and Bharmour areas. The stranded people are not even able to get ration. Opposition members, including BJP MLA Dr. Janak Raj said, the government should immediately adjourn the monsoon session, considering the seriousness of the matter.

Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur said, in this difficult time, CM Sukhwinder Sukhu has gone to Bihar for a political program. He should have stayed in Himachal during this time and monitored the rescue operations.

On the other hand, the Assembly Speaker said, the sentiments expressed by the opposition members are correct. There has been huge loss in many districts. If the Parliamentary Affairs Minister and the Leader of the Opposition talk among themselves and agree to adjourn the session, then I will have no objection to it.