Subhash Mahajan
Dalhousie — Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla visited disaster-affected areas in Dalhousie subdivision on Sunday and distributed food and relief material to affected families at the Banikhet Nagar Panchayat auditorium.
Addressing the gathering, the Governor emphasized that Himachal Pradesh has become increasingly vulnerable to natural disasters in recent years, particularly since 2023. He stressed the urgent need for conservation and sustainable management of natural resources, noting that frequent calamities have disrupted development and caused significant loss of life and property.
Governor Shukla acknowledged Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Himachal Pradesh, during which the central government sanctioned ₹1,500 crore for relief and rehabilitation efforts. He added that further assistance has been promised based on assessments conducted by Union Ministers and inter-ministerial teams.
Expressing gratitude to the Central and Uttar Pradesh governments for sending aid, the Governor urged local representatives to submit updated lists of required relief materials to the offices of the Governor’s Secretary, State Red Cross, and the Deputy Commissioner.
He praised the resilience and unity shown by residents during the crisis and expressed hope that normalcy would return to the region within the next two to three months.
During his visit, Governor Shukla flagged off relief vehicles bound for various affected areas and inspected disaster-hit sites along National Highway 154-A, including damaged zones near Banikhet town, Kakiyana village, and Chauhda. He issued necessary directives to officials for swift action.
The event was attended by MLAs Vipin Parmar, Dr. Hansraj, DS Thakur, former MLA Bikram Jaryal, BJP district president Dheeraj Narayal, and senior administrative and police officials.
