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Himachal Pradesh Monsoon Financial Losses and PWD Impact

Source:aninews ↗

Why It Matters

Highlights the severe vulnerability of Himachal Pradesh's infrastructure, particularly roads maintained by the PWD, to extreme monsoon weather events, posing major fiscal and developmental challenges for the state.

Summary

Monsoon-related losses in Himachal Pradesh surpassed Rs 1,661 crore with 296 lives lost over 74 days, where the Public Works Department (PWD) alone suffered damages exceeding Rs 1,231 crore.

Key Points

  • Monsoon damages in Himachal Pradesh crossed Rs 1,661 crore over a 74-day span during the monsoon season.
  • A total of 296 lives were lost due to rain-related incidents, cloudbursts, and landslides.
  • The Public Works Department (PWD) bore the maximum brunt with over Rs 1,231 crore in infrastructural damages.

Important Terms

Public Works Department (PWD) Himachal Pradesh

The state government agency responsible for constructing and maintaining public infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and government buildings in Himachal Pradesh. It consistently bears the highest financial toll during monsoon-induced natural disasters.

UPSC context

Important for HPAS GS Paper III (Infrastructure & Economy) and Disaster Management, testing institutional roles during extreme weather events.

Source
State Disaster Management Authority

The statutory apex body established under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, chaired by the Chief Minister, tasked with planning, coordinating, and implementing disaster prevention, mitigation, and relief measures in Himachal Pradesh.

UPSC context

Vital for HPAS GS Paper III (Disaster Management & Institutional Frameworks), testing administrative mechanisms for tackling seasonal calamities.

Source

Static Concepts Connected

Himachal Pradesh Geography & Polity (Disaster Management)

What are the institutional mechanisms for disaster management in Himachal Pradesh under the Disaster Management Act?

  • SEC Leadership: State Executive Committee headed by the Chief Secretary supervises disaster management plans.
  • SDMA Chair: State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) is chaired by the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh.
  • DDMA Head: District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) is headed by the Deputy Commissioner at the district level.

Cross-Topic Patterns

  • Himalayan Geology + Infrastructure Vulnerability

    HPAS frequently links recurring monsoon cloudbursts and road washouts to ecologically fragile Himalayan geology and unscientific slope cutting under National Highway expansions.

Monsoon disaster economic losses + PWD sector share in HP likely to be tested in HPAS Prelims statement-based questions.

Linked PYQs · 2

Linked PYQs · 2

  • 2020HPAS_PRELIMSGS1

    Consider the given four statements and choose the correct answer from the given options. Select the true statements from the following: 1. Chamba, Kullu and Kinnaur are considered the most susceptible of landslide threat. 2. Una, Bilaspur, Sirmaur, Shimla and Solan are considered as low vulnerable of disaster threats. 3. Hum valley of Una district has hardly any natural drinking water source. 4. As per the study of central water board, Kala Amb valley in Sirmaur district has exploited the least underground water.

  • 2024HPAS_PRELIMSGS1

    Arrange the following climatic zones of Himachal Pradesh according to rainfall amount from lowest to highest : (1) Frigid aridic zone (2) Wet temperate zone (3) Humid sub-tropical zone (4) Sub-humid sub-tropical zone Choose the correct answer from the options given below :