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Himachal Pradesh, worst-hit by monsoon fury, has been reeling under devastating floods, massive landslides, and cloudbursts, leading to over 50 deaths and an estimated economic loss of more than ₹1,000 crore over.

Thenewsdose.com

Delhi/Chandigarh,July 10,2025,UPDATED:6.30PM

In a significant move, the Central Government has approved the release of ₹1,066.80 crore as financial assistance to six states—Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Kerala, and Uttarakhand—affected by heavy rainfall, floods, and landslides during the ongoing southwest monsoon. The allocation is part of the Centre’s share under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).

As per a press release issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) today, the distribution of funds is as follows: Assam received ₹375.60 crore, Manipur ₹29.20 crore, Meghalaya ₹30.40 crore, Mizoram ₹22.80 crore, Kerala ₹153.20 crore, and Uttarakhand ₹455.60 crore.

However, in a surprising omission, Himachal Pradesh, which witnessed some of the worst natural disasters this monsoon, has not been included in the list of beneficiary states. The state—governed by the Congress party—has been reeling under devastating floods, massive landslides, and cloudbursts, leading to over 50  deaths and an estimated economic loss of over 1000 crore. In July alone, multiple incidents of cloudbursts and flash floods swept away homes, roads, and bridges across districts like Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, and Solan.

Despite repeated pleas by the state government for special assistance and intervention, no allocation has been made to Himachal under the current relief tranche. The development has triggered sharp political reactions, with critics accusing the Modi government of discriminatory disaster relief based on political considerations.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and guidance of Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, the government reiterated its commitment to stand by flood and landslide-affected states. So far in 2025, more than ₹8,000 crore has been released to various states from the SDRF and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). This includes ₹6,166 crore from SDRF to 14 states, ₹1,988.91 crore from NDRF to 12 states, ₹726.20 crore from the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) to five states, and ₹17.55 crore from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) to two states.

Additionally, the Centre claims to have provided all logistical assistance including deployment of 104 NDRF teams across 21 States/UTs, along with Army and Air Force support, for rescue and relief operations.

But in light of Himachal Pradesh’s exclusion from the fresh relief package, the Centre’s assurances are being viewed with skepticism. With large swathes of the state’s infrastructure in ruins and local economies shattered, the omission raises critical questions about equity and federal sensitivity in times of disaster.