By Tenzin Dharpo
DHARAMSHALA, Aug. 22: Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama has expressed concern for the death and destruction caused by incessant rain due to the ongoing monsoon season in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. His office said Monday that the octogenarian leader has written to the Chief Minister, Jai Ram Thakur to express his sadness for the loss of precious life, as well as damage to property and infrastructure, bringing great hardship to many people.
He wrote, “I offer my condolences to you, to the families who have lost loved ones, and to all those affected by this devastation. I pray for them. I appreciate that the State Government and other agencies are doing their utmost to provide relief to people affected by these calamitous conditions.”
“As I hope you know, I naturally feel a particular affinity for the people of Himachal Pradesh, which has been my home for more than sixty years,” the Dalai Lama further wrote adding that his trust is making a donation to relief and rescue efforts.
On Monday, state CM Jai Ram Thakur announced that the death toll in flash floods and landslides triggered by rains in Himachal Pradesh since Friday night has risen to 32, with six people still missing while 12 injured in the calamity.
Worst hit districts include Mandi, Chamba and Kangra, where the Dalai Lama has lived for over six decades and where the exile Tibetan government is based also saw landslides leading to roads being blocked and collapse of a bridge.
