According to the Chief Minister, Himachal has been severely hammered by heavy rain to the point where it will take the state a year to reconstruct its infrastructure. It is believed that the hill state sustained an economic loss of almost Rs 10,000 crore as a result of two disastrous rain events that occurred in quick succession.
Source: Research Gate
HP urgently needs a long-term policy to encourage sustainable development even as the current emphasis is on relief and rescue activities so that such calamities may be dealt with effectively or even prevented.
Four fundamental components of disaster management are prevention, preparation, reaction, and recovery. The frequency and severity of extreme weather events have grown in recent years, in large part due to climate change. The Union Government asserts that India’s response to disasters is no longer reactionary and relief-focused.
The emphasis is put on early warning systems, effective use of mitigation money, and strengthening of the relevant agencies at the federal, state, and local levels. The disaster management system, however, has glaring flaws that have been exposed by the destruction in Punjab and Himachal.
Source: Mirror Now
India cannot become a disaster-resilient country unless its states are adequately equipped and prepared for all possible scenarios. A Rs 2,500 crore initiative to lessen the risk of urban floods in seven major cities and a Rs 825 crore national landslide risk reduction project were among the key disaster management programs the Centre had announced in June for the entire country.
Such programs can be implemented successfully if the Center and the states collaborate closely, share resources, and promote environmentally friendly behaviors. Otherwise, these catastrophes will undoubtedly hinder India’s economic growth, regardless of where they strike in the nation.
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