Priyanka Gandhi's visit to Shimla's Shiv Temple amid Himachal flood crisis

Priyanka Gandhi, a leader from the Congress party and AICC General Secretary, recently visited the Shiv Temple in Summer Hill, Shimla, to assess the situation and meet with the families affected by a devastating landslide that occurred on August 14. During her visit, she expressed her concern about the crisis in Himachal Pradesh and called for the Central government to declare it a national disaster.

Assessing the situation

Accompanied by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and other state ministers, Priyanka Gandhi took a close look at the aftermath of the landslide. She also took the time to interact with the families who had lost their loved ones in this tragic event.

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The magnitude of the crisis

Himachal Pradesh has been grappling with unprecedented losses due to heavy rainfall. The estimated financial losses have surged to around ₹8,600 crore, with Chief Minister Sukhu suggesting that the final figure could exceed ₹12,000 crore. Tragically, the recent rain-related incidents have claimed the lives of 426 people, and 39 individuals are still missing. Additionally, over 2,575 houses have been completely destroyed, while 11,000 have suffered partial damage.

Call for National Disaster declaration

Gandhi called upon the Central government to designate the Himachal Pradesh crisis as a national disaster. She expressed concerns about the government's response, suggesting that the gravity of the situation might not be fully understood by the authorities in New Delhi. Such a declaration, she argued, would provide vital support to the state in dealing with the extensive destruction caused by the natural calamity.

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Priyanka Gandhi's visit to the Shiv Temple in Shimla's Summer Hill underscored the severity of the crisis in Himachal Pradesh caused by heavy rainfall and landslides.