Shimla, Sept. 20 -- Taking lessons from the widespread destruction caused by heavy rains and landslides in the past three years, the Himachal Pradesh government is set to extend strict building construction norms to rural areas as well.

The move, aimed at minimising the impact of climate change-induced disasters, will be taken up in the next Cabinet meeting, State Town and Country Planning and Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani said on Saturday.

Speaking to ANI in Shimla, Dharmani said the state could no longer afford to ignore construction practices in disaster-prone zones.

"The government is planning to frame building construction norms under the Town and Country Planning Department for rural areas too. It is difficult to i...