Shimla, Sept. 2 -- The Himachal Pradesh government declared the rain-battered entire state as "disaster affected" under Section 34 of the National Disaster Management Act, following widespread devastation caused by incessant monsoon rains, landslides and cloudbursts since June 20. "Entire Himachal Pradesh has been declared a disaster-hit state and notification has been issued to declare the state as disaster-hit," announced chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in the Himachal assembly on Monday in the wake of the widespread devastation faced by the state that has suffered Rs 3,056 crore losses so far. He said that the withdrawal of this notification will be considered after the rains stop in the state. Giving a statement in the assembly, the CM said, "Since the onset of monsoon, incidents of cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides have occurred in many districts. Relief, rescue, and restoration works on roads, drinking water schemes, and electricity supply were immediately taken up on a war footing." The CM said, "The monsoon reactivated on August 21, triggering a fresh wave of extreme rainfall, landslides, and cloudbursts, affecting Chamba, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, Mandi, Shimla, Kangra, and Hamirpur districts the most." He said the Chamba district is the worst-hit. No district is untouched by the devastation with maximum damage is of roads, power infrastructure and drinking water schemes". Looking at the large-scale devastation being faced by the state, former chief minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Shanta Kumar has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking special grant for the state. In his letter to PM Modi, he mentioned that the Government of India has around Rs 2 lakh crore belonging to people without heirs. He had written to the Prime Minister, along with the complete list from all banks and LICs. "This Rs 2-lakh crore belongs to those people who had deposited money but died without any legal heirs. This entire wealth belongs to the nation," mentioned Shanta Kumar in his letter. He has written to the chief minister expressing his "deep pain" looking at the devastation caused by the rains. Reading out the letter in the assembly, Sukhu said, "Former CM Shanta Kumar has urged the Union government to sanction Rs 20,000 crore special package for Himachal ". Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday in a statement in the assembly said, "Sixteen pilgrims have died so far during the Manimahesh yatra, including four in Kugti, whose bodies are yet to be extracted owing to the inclement weather. The administration has arranged for 20 porters and once the weather improves the bodies will be brought down." He stated that four youths died at Kugti pass due to hypothermia and low oxygen. The annual Manimahesh yatra, which began on August 16 and was to conclude on August 31, was temporarily suspended on August 25 following rains and landslides. As per the religious belief this yatra is dedicated to Lord Shiva, is held at an altitude of 4,085 metres and traditionally begins on Janmashtami. It concludes on Radha Ashtami, which falls on August 31. The Manimahesh Yatra is an annual fortnight-long pilgrimage to the glacier-fed Manimahesh Lake in Bharmour subdivision of Chamba district. The devotees trek to the lake to offer prayers and catch a glimpse of Mount Kailash, regarded as the abode of Lord Shiva. Starting from Hadsar in Chamba district at about 1,829 metres, the 14-km uphill trek is considered as challenging as the Amarnath Yatra. This year, however, owing to inclement weather and large-scale destruction, the yatra had to be suspended breaking the tradition of "Dal Thodna" that marks the conclusion of the pilgrimage. Traditionally during this ritual the priests and devotees cross from one end to another, at holy Manimahesh Lake. A Holy dip in the glacial lake beneath the Manimahesh Kailash peak, marks the end of the yatra. But this year owing to monsoon-triggered devastation, the pilgrims were kept at Chamba for security reasons after the yatra was suspended. However, priests from Sanchui village to complete the tradition walked towards the sacred lake at Manimahesh to perform the concluding ritual but could not reach the lake. The CM apprised the House that out of 15,000 stranded pilgrims 10,000 have been evacuated. "There are 500 pilgrims who will be airlifted as the weather improves. Already buses and taxis have been deployed to evacuate the pilgrim," he said. He shared this while replying to the query raised by leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, who had raised concern over conflicting reports on the number of pilgrims and deaths of pilgrims....