**Executive Summary:**
This document summarizes the Indian government's response to floods and landslides in Himachal Pradesh, as of August 19, 2025. It details the deployment of NDRF teams, financial assistance provided through SDRF and NDRF, and steps taken to address future cloudbursts. The report also includes the reported losses of life, animals, and property in the state.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
**NDRF Deployment:**
* Five NDRF teams were prepositioned in Himachal Pradesh for the 2025 monsoon season.
* An additional 13 NDRF teams were deployed for rescue and relief operations during the current monsoon.
**Financial Assistance:**
* The primary responsibility for disaster management rests with the State Government.
* Himachal Pradesh was allocated ₹441.60 crore under SDRF for the financial year 2025-2026, with ₹198.80 crore released as the first installment from the Central share.
* An opening balance of ₹81.10 crore was available in the State's SDRF account on April 1, 2025.
* ₹107.15 crore was released from NDRF for floods and landslides of 2024.
* ₹2006.40 crore was approved for Himachal Pradesh under the recovery and reconstruction fund window.
* The first installment of the central share of ₹451.44 crore was released on July 7, 2025.
**Assessment and Future Preparedness:**
* An Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) visited affected areas from July 18-21, 2025, for an on-the-spot assessment of damages.
* Guidelines for recovery and reconstruction after severe disasters have been issued, with financial assistance available from SDRF/NDRF.
* A Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) was carried out by the State Government for the 2023 floods and landslides.
* A multi-sectorial Central Team has been formed to address the increasing frequency of cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides, and torrential rainfall.
**Losses:**
* As of August 12, 2025, 226 human lives and 2,703 animals were lost, and 2,535 houses were damaged.
**Impact Analysis:**
**State Government of Himachal Pradesh**
* *Impact:* Bears primary responsibility for disaster management and disbursal of relief. Receives financial assistance from the Union Government through SDRF and NDRF.
* *Action Required:* Utilize allocated funds effectively for relief measures. Coordinate with NDRF for rescue and relief operations. Implement recovery and reconstruction plans based on PDNA.
**Citizens of Himachal Pradesh**
* *Impact:* Affected by loss of life, damage to property, and disruption of normal life due to floods and landslides.
* *Action Required:* Seek assistance from State Government and NDRF for rescue and relief. Follow safety guidelines issued by authorities during disasters.
**National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)**
* *Impact:* Deployed for rescue and relief operations in the affected areas.
* *Action Required:* Coordinate with the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) to ensure effective deployment and utilization of resources. Conduct rescue and relief operations.
Key Entities Referenced
Himachal Pradesh: A state in India affected by floods and landslides, and the focus of the policy document.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF): A specialized force deployed for rescue and relief operations during disasters.
State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), Himachal Pradesh: The state-level agency responsible for disaster management in Himachal Pradesh.
National Policy on Disaster Management (NPDM): A national policy that outlines the primary responsibility for disaster management rests with the State Governments.
State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF): A fund available to state governments for undertaking relief measures in the wake of natural calamities.
National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF): A fund used to supplement the efforts of state governments in providing financial support during disasters of severe nature.
Inter Ministerial Central Team (IMCT): A team constituted by the Central Government to assess the extent of damage caused by a disaster.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): A national agency involved in disaster management, including anticipating and dealing with cloudbursts and other disasters.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4264
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 19TH AUGUST, 2025/ SRAVANA 28, 1947 (SAKA)
FLOODS AND LANDSLIDES IN HIMACHAL PRADESH
†4264. SHRI SURESH KUMAR KASHYAP:
Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether Union Government has sent NDRF team to Himachal Pradesh to
deal with floods and landslides caused by heavy rains;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the kind of assistance provided by the Union Government to the disaster
affected areas of Himachal Pradesh;
(d) whether any steps have been taken to anticipate and deal with future
cloudbursts, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(e) the quantum of loss of life and property suffered due to heavy rains,
floods and landslides this year in Himachal Pradesh?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI NITYANAND RAI)
(a) and (b): Yes Sir. In consultation with State Disaster Management
Authority (SDMA), Himachal Pradesh, 05 teams of National Disaster
Response Force (NDRF) were pre-positioned in Kullu, Shimla, Sirmaur,
Lahaul & Spiti, Kinnaur for Monsoon Season- 2025. Further, in the wake of
floods and landslides during current monsoon, 13 teams of NDRF have been
deployed for rescue and relief operations in the State.-2-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 4264 FOR 19.08.2025
(c): As per the National Policy on Disaster Management (NPDM), the
primary responsibility for disaster management, including disbursal of relief
assistance on ground level, rests with the State Governments concerned.
The State Governments undertake relief measures in the wake of natural
calamities, from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) already placed at
their disposal, in accordance with Government of India approved items and
norms. The Central Government supplements the efforts of the State
Governments and provides requisite logistics and financial
support. Additional financial assistance is provided from National Disaster
Response Fund (NDRF), as per laid down procedure, in case of disaster of
‘severe nature’, which includes an assessment based on the visit of an Inter-
Ministerial Central Team (IMCT).
The State Government of Himachal Pradesh has been allocated an amount
of ₹441.60 crore (₹397.60 crore Central share + ₹44.00 crore State share)
for the financial year 2025-2026 under SDRF, of which the first installment
of ₹198.80 crore from the Central share has been released to the State.
Further, an opening balance of ₹81.10 crore has been stated to be available
as opening balance on 1st April, 2025 by the State Government in its SDRF
account. In addition, ₹107.15 crore was released from NDRF for floods and
landslides of 2024.-3-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 4264 FOR 19.08.2025
Further, in the wake of flood, flash flood and landslides during current
monsoon, the Central Government constituted an IMCT without waiting for
Memorandum from State Government for on the spot first hand assessment
of damages. IMCT visited the affected areas of the State from 18th to 21st
July, 2025.
Further, the Central Government has issued guidelines for recovery and
reconstruction after severe disaster for which financial assistance can be
provided from SDRF/NDRF. A Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) was
carried out by the State Government of Himachal Pradesh in the aftermath
of floods and landslides of 2023, assessing the need for recovery and
reconstruction under NDRF. The Central Government has already approved
an outlay of Rs.2006.40 crore to Himachal Pradesh as per the procedure
established under the guidelines of the recovery and reconstruction fund
window. Further the first instalment of central share of Rs.451.44 crore has
also been released on 7th July, 2025.
(d): In view of the increase in frequency and intensity of cloudburst, flash
floods, landslides and torrential rainfall in the State, a muti-sectorial Central
Team comprising experts from National Disaster Management Authority-4-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 4264 FOR 19.08.2025
(NDMA), Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) Roorkee, Indian Institute
of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) Pune, Geologist and Indian Institute of
Technology (IIT) Indore has been constituted on direction of the Hon’ble
Union Home Minister.
(e): As reported by the State Government of Himachal Pradesh, 226 human
lives and 2,703 animals are lost and 2535 houses damaged as on 12.08.2025.
*******