Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi said the Cabinet increased the compensation for families who lose their homes in natural calamities. As a result, the relief amount now stands at ₹8 lakh, up from ₹7 lakh. Additionally, the same level of compensation will go to families whose houses are destroyed by fire. Negi explained that the government wants strong, direct, and timely support for households that suffer total loss.

Furthermore, the Cabinet approved several recruitment decisions to improve service delivery. It cleared the hiring of 1,000 Rogi Mitras for hospitals to offer better patient assistance. Along with this, the government will recruit 800 police constables and 150 civil engineers to strengthen administrative and technical capacity across the state.

In a major push for green mobility, the state also announced a 40% subsidy for converting fuel-based taxis into electric vehicles. Consequently, officials believe the move will lower pollution in tourist areas and reduce long-term operating costs for taxi operators.

Meanwhile, the debate over delayed Panchayat elections continued to generate political noise. However, Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh said the issue remains in court due to the Disaster Management Act. He added that the Chief Minister has already expressed commitment to holding the polls on time once legal restrictions ease.

The opposition BJP continues to accuse the government of intentional delay. Even so, state ministers reject the claim and point to the administrative burden created by recent natural disasters.

Finally, Negi said the meeting discussed 64 agenda items, focusing on efficient governance, disaster support, and job creation. He added that the government will continue strengthening public systems to ensure better service delivery across Himachal Pradesh.

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He said the state government never created a proper rehabilitation plan. According to him, thousands of affected families still wait for land, homes and basic relief. He accused the government of ignoring people who lost everything in repeated rain-related calamities.

Bindal questioned the use of disaster relief funds released by the Modi government. He asked where the money had gone when victims still struggled for support. He said the Centre sent nearly ₹5,500 crore in three years, but people saw no results on the ground.

He criticised the state for taking loans worth ₹40,000 crore while development work stalled. Bindal accused the government of abolishing 1.5 lakh posts and shutting schools and institutions instead of supporting citizens.

Bindal also said the government wanted to delay panchayat and civic body elections under the pretext of disaster. He added that every section of society felt frustrated with the present regime.

Kangra MP Rajiv Bhardwaj, MLAs Vipin Parmar, Ranbir Nikka and former MLA Rakesh Pathania attended the press conference.

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Sukhu reminded the council that the Supreme Court’s 2011 judgment confirmed Himachal’s 7.19% entitlement under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966. He also demanded immediate release of pending dues from the Bhakra Beas Management Board and asked for a permanent Himachal representative on the board.

The Chief Minister pressed for the transfer of hydropower projects that have completed 40 years of operation. He sought full central funding for the power components of the Kishau and Renuka dam projects. He also insisted on equal electricity share for both Himachal and Uttarakhand once these projects are completed.

Sukhu urged the Centre to release nearly ₹10,000 crore pending under the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment, along with the earlier announcement of ₹1,500 crore. He further requested special permission to allot forest land for homes of families affected by disasters.

He also highlighted the need for wider air connectivity, quicker resolution of the boundary issue with Ladakh, and stronger action against drug trafficking across the state.

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The delegation included Executive Vice President A.R. Soni, Deputy General Manager Sachin Rana and Administration Head Tarun Kumar Dutt. They assured the Chief Minister that the company remains dedicated to helping Himachal Pradesh recover from the recent natural calamity.

CM Sukhu thanked the L&T Group for their generous support. He said such contributions strengthen the government’s efforts to rebuild affected areas and restore normalcy for residents. He also emphasised that timely assistance from responsible corporate groups plays a crucial role in accelerating relief operations.

The meeting underscored the importance of corporate partnerships in disaster management. L&T’s gesture sets an encouraging example for other organisations to participate in the state’s recovery journey.

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Handlooms and Textiles Minister S. Savitha shared the details, stating that Cyclone Montha affected weavers along with farmers. She said Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s government took the decision to support struggling families across the state.

According to the minister, around 27,982 handloom families were identified as victims. Of them, 718 weavers lost yarn, dyes, and other items due to water damage. Relief materials are being distributed through district administrations.

District-wise, 4,278 families in Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, 3,900 in Krishna, 3,333 in Srikakulam, 2,400 in Nellore, and 1,700 in Tirupati were badly hit by the cyclone. The government assured continued assistance until full recovery.

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Teams from the NDRF and SDRF began clearing fallen trees and restoring power supply in affected regions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the cyclone weakened into a deep depression while moving towards Telangana and south Chhattisgarh. Paddy fields in Konaseema district suffered major losses, with around 20,000 acres of crops destroyed.

Flooding in Vijayawada and Nandyal submerged roads and houses, halting traffic. The Srisailam ghat road was closed after landslides, while in Bapatla district, 20 people trapped in floodwaters were rescued. Authorities evacuated 200 workers from the Veligonda project tunnels as floodwater entered the site.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu visited Udelarevu in Konaseema for an aerial survey and review. The government announced ₹1,000 financial aid for affected individuals in relief camps, along with free essential commodities for displaced families.

The post Cyclone Montha Batters Andhra Pradesh, Two Dead appeared first on India Podcast.

Rescue teams, including the NDRF, searched through the night and recovered the bodies of Mukesh Kumar (25) and Babulal Sahni (45) on Sunday morning. Another victim, Kailash Sahni, had died earlier. Police reached the scene after receiving information from locals. The bodies were sent for post-mortem examinations, and disaster relief compensation is being arranged for the families.

The local police and NDRF continue to ensure no one is left behind. Officials stated that all drowned victims have been accounted for. Earlier, another boat accident in Bihar’s Aurangabad district had claimed four lives while people were crossing the Son River.

The post 3 Dead, 2 Missing in East Champaran River Mishap appeared first on India Podcast.

Witnesses said the strike took place in Chaung-U township, where a motorized paraglider dropped two explosives on a gathering crowd. More than 45 people were injured in the blast. The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) said the assault reflects a growing use of air power to target civilian areas.

UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric called the attack unacceptable and urged Myanmar’s military to respect international humanitarian law. The UN also demanded accountability for those responsible and immediate protection for civilians.

Sagaing has been one of Myanmar’s worst-affected regions since the 2021 military coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s government. The area has also faced earthquake damage this year, worsening humanitarian needs. According to OHCHR, Sagaing recorded over 100 airstrikes between March and May 2025, killing nearly 90 people.

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Nepal has experienced torrential rainfall since Friday, causing rivers to overflow and inundating many settlements. Officials reported that at least 44 people have died and five are missing due to rain-related disasters. The eastern district of Illam was hit hardest, with 37 deaths caused by landslides, local authorities said.

“Heavy overnight rains caused landslides, blocking many roads and making rescue operations challenging,” said Sunita Nepal, a district official. Security forces have deployed helicopters and motorboats to aid affected communities, while residents along rivers in Kathmandu were evacuated to safer areas.

Prime Minister Sushila Karki assured that government agencies were “fully prepared for rescue and relief” and declared public holidays to prevent unnecessary travel.

Across the border in India, at least 20 people died in Darjeeling, West Bengal, after flash floods and landslides destroyed homes and infrastructure. Videos on Indian news channels showed rescue teams using cables to reach stranded residents. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sorrow over the deaths and said the situation was being closely monitored.

India’s meteorological department issued a red alert for extreme rainfall in sub-Himalayan areas, including Darjeeling, until Monday. The Indian army also joined rescue operations in Bhutan, evacuating residents stranded in border towns such as Phuentsholing.

Experts warn that climate change is intensifying such disasters, increasing the frequency and severity of floods and landslides across South Asia. The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development had warned this monsoon season of heightened disaster risks due to rising temperatures and extreme rainfall.

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At the Asia Economic Dialogue, Sudhakar Dalela, Secretary (Economic Relations), explained that navigating complexity is about leveraging complementarities. He cited G20, BRICS, QUAD, and IBSA as examples of platforms where India plays an active role.Dalela emphasized that the future of economic multilateralism will depend on collective reform, cooperation, and adaptation. He added that the strength of one country alone cannot define outcomes.

By referring to both BRICS, which includes Russia and China, and QUAD, which includes the United States, Japan, and Australia, Dalela highlighted that India is not aligning with any single “camp.” The remark comes soon after US President Donald Trump tweeted about India’s closeness with China and Russia.

Dalela also stressed balance and the needs of the Global South. He raised issues such as energy security, cyber cooperation, UN reforms, climate change, and disaster relief. He underlined that development partnerships must respect sovereignty and remain transparent, viable, and sustainable.

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