SC takes note of landslides, floods; seeks response from Centre, affected states: 'Illegal felling of trees ...'

People walk along a bridge over the swollen Beas river amid rainfall in Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh. (Courtesy: PTI photo)

The Supreme Court on Thursday sought responses from the Centre as well as flood-affected states including Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand while noting that illegal felling of trees have led to disasters such as landslides and flash floods.

"We have seen unprecedented landslides and floods in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. From the media reports it is noticed that in the flood a huge number of wood was flowing along. Prima facie it appears that there has been illegal felling of trees. Thus issue notice to respondents. Returnable in two weeks," CJI BR Gavai said.

The top court was responding to a plea alleging illegal felling of trees as the primary reason for such disasters.

The bench of Chief Justice Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran issued notices to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the National Highway Authorities of India (NHAI) as well as the governments of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.

It has listed the plea, filed by an Anamika Rana, for hearing after two weeks and asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to ensure remedial measures.

Earlier this week, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu declared the entire 'disaster-hit' due to the extensive damage caused by flash floods, landslides and cloudburst over the past few weeks. “Entire Himachal Pradesh has been declared a disaster-hit state and notification has been issued to declare the state as disaster-hit,” he announced in the Himachal Pradesh assembly on Monday.

The Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) on Wednesday said at least 343 people have died in rain-related incidents since the onset of the monsoon on June 20. Out of the total casualties, 183 deaths were directly linked to rain-related disasters such as landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, drowning, electrocution, and accidents caused by falling trees or steep slopes. The remaining 160 fatalities occurred in road accidents, many triggered by slippery roads, falling debris, and low visibility during heavy rains.

Authorities have urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain cautious, as the monsoon remains active in parts of the hill state. Relief and restoration efforts are continuing, with ex-gratia payments being disbursed to affected families.