Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has stressed the need for a scientific study to know the causes of recent cloud bursts and flash floods in several parts of the state.
While presiding over a meeting of the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) at Shimla on Monday the CM said, “Natural disasters pose the biggest challenges for the future and combating the adverse effects of climate change is a pressing concern for humanity.”
Expressing serious concern over the rising incidents of cloud bursts in the state, the CM said, “The issue was taken up with the Union Home Minister Amit Shah to work for limiting the losses from the natural calamities.”
He said , “ During the past few days Mandi district recorded 123 percent excess rains, causing widespread devastation in the district whereas Shimla district got 105 percent excess rainfall; 19 cloud bursts have occurred in the state causing significant losses to human lives and properties.”
The CM said , “ Unscientific muck dumping is leading to serious damages and there is a need to develop a scientific mechanism for its disposal to prevent further damages and directed to conduct a study on high risk glacial lakes, besides roping in local communities to raise awareness about preserving our environment and hills .”
He also asked the SDMA to issue regular weather updates to the public to counter misinformation circulating in social media.
