Shimla, Aug. 10 -- In the wake of repeated loss of lives and property, the state government will check haphazard constructions near the banks of rivers and nullahs, as well as flash floods and landslide-prone areas.

Even the governor of Himachal Pradesh, Shiv Pratap Shukla, had called for "careful planning" of the disaster-prone areas.

Town and country planning minister Rajesh Dharmani said that safety norms and strict regulations would be brought to regulate the construction of houses in rural areas.

He said that the construction of buildings, bridges and other structures would require certification by a safety council, and their designs are as per norms set by the public works department.

He said the powers of the director, Town Pla...