In response to a string of devastating natural disasters, the Himachal Pradesh government is turning to scientific institutions like IIT Mandi, IIT Roorkee, and ISRO to help decode the causes and develop preventive strategies. The move comes in the wake of a deadly cloudburst in Mandi district that claimed three lives and left dozens missing or feared dead.
Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh, who visited the flood-ravaged areas of Mandi on Monday night alongside local MLA Anil Sharma and Mayor Virendra Bhatt Sharma, said that the state is witnessing an alarming frequency of disasters 21 deaths in Mandi alone this monsoon, with 17 linked to cloudbursts and 27 people still unaccounted for.
“These recurring tragedies demand expert intervention,” Singh said, emphasizing the government’s commitment to both immediate relief and long-term resilience. Heavy machinery has been deployed across affected zones to clear debris and restore blocked roads as rescue efforts continue.
During a recent cabinet meeting, the Congress-led government discussed the need for a comprehensive scientific report to examine the role of climate change, shifting weather patterns, and topographical vulnerability in the state’s growing disaster count. The state will also seek central assistance to back both recovery and future preparedness.
A key component of the plan is the development of an early-warning system, which officials say is already in the pipeline. Inputs from space-based monitoring by ISRO and hydro-meteorological research by IITs will be crucial in predicting extreme events like cloudbursts and landslides before they strike.
“Protecting lives and livelihoods is our priority,” Singh stated, adding that the government is committed to science-driven solutions to help Himachal Pradesh adapt to its increasing climate risks.