Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu met Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav in New Delhi on Friday, urging relaxation of forest norms to rehabilitate families left homeless by recent cloudbursts, landslides, and floods. With 68% of the state under forest cover, Sukhu requested one bigha of land per affected family to rebuild homes, citing severe losses to infrastructure, roads, bridges, water schemes, and lives during the 2025 monsoon, which caused damages worth Rs 1,100 crore and claimed 85 lives, with 34 still missing.

Sukhu emphasized the need for separate norms for hill states due to their unique topography and frequent disasters, noting 10 cloudbursts in Mandi alone from June 30 to July 1. He also pushed for river dredging to prevent future calamities and sought guidelines for disposing dredged material. Discussions with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and a central team’s visit to assess climate change impacts were highlighted.

The state cabinet recently approved a Rs 800 crore relief package, offering Rs 7 lakh for destroyed homes, Rs 1 lakh for damaged shops or homes, Rs 50,000 for tenants’ lost goods, and Rs 10,000 per bigha for agricultural losses. Sukhu’s proactive measures, including a Rs 315 crore profit by HPSEBL in 2024-25, underscore his push for economic stability amid crises.

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