Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 4 Sep: The Uttarakhand Disaster Management Department has sought a special assistance package of Rs 5,702.15 crores from the Government of India to compensate for damages caused during this year’s monsoon and to safeguard infrastructure at risk of future destruction. In this connection, Secretary, Disaster Management and Rehabilitation, Vinod Kumar Suman, has sent a detailed memorandum to the Additional Secretary, Disaster Management Division, Ministry of Home Affairs.
Suman stated that natural disasters this year have inflicted direct losses estimated at around Rs 1,944.15 crore to various government departments. The Public Works Department (PWD) and many public roads have borne the brunt, with losses amounting to approximately Rs 1,163.84 crores, while the Irrigation Department has reported losses worth Rs 266.65 crores. The Energy Department suffered losses of Rs 123.17 crores, the Health Department Rs 4.57 crores, and the School Education Department Rs 68.28 crores. He added that the damages assessed and considered include Rs 9.04 crores to Higher Education Department assets, Rs 2.55 crores to the Fisheries Department, Rs 65.50 crores to Rural Development, Rs 4 crores to Urban Development, Rs 23.06 crores to Animal Husbandry, and Rs 213.46 crore under other departmental assets.
Suman further shared that in addition to reconstruction and recovery costs of Rs 1,944.15 crore, the disaster management department has sought further assistance of Rs 3,758 crore to undertake preventive measures aimed at stabilising roads, populated areas and other infrastructure on the verge of collapse due to disaster impact. In all, assistance of Rs 5,702.15 crore has been sought for the state from the Centre to undertake repairs, recovery and reconstruction of damaged assets, and to carry out protective works to minimise future risks to roads, public infrastructure and habitations.
Suman further informed that between 1 April and 31 August 2025, the state has recorded the loss of 79 human lives, injuries to 115 individuals and 90 persons reported missing due to natural calamities. In addition, 3,953 animals, both large and small, have perished. A total of 238 permanent houses and two temporary houses have been completely destroyed, whereas 2,835 permanent and 402 temporary houses have suffered severe damage. Numerous commercial establishments including shops, hotels, homestays and restaurants have also been affected, adding to the scale of the devastation.
