In response to the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has directed the formation of a multi-sectoral central team to assess and mitigate the impact of these events. This decision follows a review meeting on the natural disasters in Himachal Pradesh, a state that has experienced massive loss of life and widespread damage to infrastructure and the environment due to an increase in cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides, and torrential rainfall.

The multi-sectoral team will include experts from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) Roorkee, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) Pune, a geologist, and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Indore. The team will investigate the reasons behind the increasing frequency of natural disasters in Himachal Pradesh in recent years and provide technical support.

In addition to the multi-sectoral team, the central government has already deployed an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the damages caused by the recent floods, flash floods, cloudbursts, and landslides during the ongoing South-West monsoon. The IMCT has been visiting the affected areas of Himachal Pradesh from July 18 to July 21.

The Union government has also approved an outlay of ₹2,006.40 crore for Himachal Pradesh for recovery and reconstruction in areas affected by disasters like floods, landslides, and cloudbursts for the year 2023. The first installment of this package, amounting to ₹451.44 crore, was released on July 7. Furthermore, the central government has released the first installment of the Central share of ₹198.80 crore to Himachal Pradesh from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) on June 18 for immediate relief measures.

To assist with rescue and relief operations, a total of 13 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed in the state. The Central Government has also provided logistical assistance, including deploying Army teams and Air Force support.

The Home Ministry has stated that the Central Government stands firmly with the states during disasters, without any discrimination. This commitment is reflected in the proactive measures taken to support Himachal Pradesh, including the formation of expert teams, financial assistance, and deployment of rescue forces.