Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar wrote to his Himachal Pradesh counterpart Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday, expressing grief over large-scale destruction by heavy rain in the hill state during this monsoon, and sent Rs 5 crore for relief and rehabilitation work.

“I am deeply distressed and saddened by the tragic loss of lives and large-scale damage because of continuous rain during the current monsoon season in Himachal Pradesh. I am sending a contribution of Rs 5 crore from the chief minister’s relief fund, Bihar, for relief and rehabilitation work in the affected areas. I believe that the people of Himachal Pradesh will recover from their losses soon under your able guidance and leadership,” Nitish wrote to Sukhu.

Himachal Pradesh has suffered massive destruction because of heavy rain, flash floods and landslides since the onset of the monsoon in June this year. At least 165 landslides and 72 flash floods have been reported during this period.