India Deploys Expert Team Amid Monsoon Havoc in Himalayan State as Disaster Response

In response to the escalating natural calamities in the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh, the Government of India has stepped up with a coordinated and science-backed strategy. 

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah has ordered the formation of a high-level multi-sectoral central team to assess and respond to the increasing intensity and frequency of disasters in the hill state, a government issued communique stated on Sunday.

Image Source: The Bridge on X

Over recent weeks, Himachal Pradesh has witnessed severe monsoon-triggered events—including cloudbursts, flash floods, torrential rainfall, and landslides—that have led to devastating loss of life, massive damage to infrastructure, and long-term environmental setbacks. 

Taking note of this alarming trend, a specialized central team comprising experts from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) Roorkee, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) Pune, geologists, and structural specialists from IIT Indore has been constituted.

Even before a formal request from the state government, the Centre had already dispatched an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) to the region to conduct on-the-ground damage assessment from July 18–21, 2025. This proactive move signals a strategic shift towards early response, anticipating state needs rather than reacting post-facto.

Further reinforcing its commitment to disaster relief and reconstruction, the Central Government had earlier approved a substantial outlay of ₹2006.40 crore for Himachal Pradesh to support post-disaster recovery from events in 2023. 

The first installment of ₹451.44 crore from this package was released on July 7, 2025. 

Additionally, on June 18, the Centre disbursed ₹198.80 crore from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to support immediate relief efforts in affected regions.

Currently, 13 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are operational across key districts of Himachal Pradesh, alongside support from the Indian Army and Air Force. These teams are conducting extensive rescue and relief operations in areas hardest hit by this year’s South-West monsoon.

The Centre has stated that under Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the government stands united with all states during times of crisis, acting without bias and with urgency. 

As monsoon patterns grow more erratic and extreme, the inclusion of geologists, meteorological scientists, and infrastructure experts signals a more systemic approach to both short-term relief and long-term climate resilience.