Shimla, Sep 1 (IANS): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Sunday said the Central government has released Rs 64.49 crore under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for losses incurred in the last winter season for restoration and other works.

He said this was the second time that the state government has received funds. Earlier, the state had received funds in 2014.

The Chief Minister said the Central government had provided adequate helicopter services and other assistance to the state on his request for evacuating the stranded tourists and local residents from Lahaul-Spiti district and other tribal areas in the last winter.

Thakur said the state government has also received Rs 312 crore for the losses caused during the monsoon in 2018 under the NDRF.

He said the state has suffered immense losses during the current monsoon season and the state has released Rs 15 crore for undertaking relief and restoration works.

The Chief Minister also said the state would urge the Central government to send a team at the earliest to take on the spot assessment of losses.