Himachal Pradesh has had to celebrate Independence Day in tears this year. Torrential rains and flash floods have brought in untold misery. The number of deaths may well be above one hundred. As many as 65 persons have been washed away in Ghanvi village alone. Dams, roads and railway lines have been damaged extensively. The total loss to property is estimated to be more than Rs 1,000 crore. Almost all districts of the state have been badly affected by cloud bursts and floods, with the worst hit being Kangra, Una, Sirmur and Shimla. This is not the time to discuss whether the state had made sufficient preparations to face just such an eventuality. After all, floods during the monsoon are almost an annual feature. What matters most right now is the ability of the government to provide relief and rehabilitation to the survivors. Many of them are living in a pitiable condition and their survival will depend on how quickly the administration mobilises itself to provide relief.

The government has promised to do this work on a war-footing, but past experience on this count has not been too reassuring. There is need to keep a close watch on the performance of the lower-ranking officials who come in actual contact with the affected persons. One major problem is that the washing away of roads has made many areas inaccessible. Will the government be able to rush in essential supplies through helicopters in sufficient quantity?

This tragedy is perhaps too big for Himachal Pradesh alone to cope with. There must be a national effort to make sure that the injured and displaced do not suffer because of paucity of funds. Not only a large number of houses have become unliveable, but huge tracts of agricultural land have also been washed away. The fragile ecology of many places in the region is in danger. The task at hand is huge but can be accomplished through government-public cooperation.

SOURCE: http://www.himadventures.net/outdoor_forums/index.php/topic,3.0.html