500 homes damaged, 30 missing; LoP criticises relief efforts as inadequate

Munish Sood

MANDI: Jai Ram Thakur, the former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh and current Leader of Opposition, expressed grave concern on Thursday (July 3, 2025) regarding the extensive destruction in his home constituency of Seraj, located in Mandi district, following recent flash floods and landslides.

During a press conference held in Mandi, Jai Ram stated that the disaster has set Seraj back by 25 years. He remarked, “For 27 years, I have worked alongside the people of Seraj to advance the region. This calamity has reversed decades of progress.”

Jai Ram reported that numerous villages, including Janjehli, Jarol, Chyuni, Lambathach, Thunag, Bagsyad, Bara, Parwara, Thachi, Somnachni, Kuklah, and Bakhli, have experienced significant damage. Over 500 homes and shops have been affected, with 25 bridges destroyed and many roads rendered impassable. In some areas, the road infrastructure is so severely impacted that new roads will need to be constructed.

At least 30 individuals remain unaccounted for, while nine bodies have been recovered. The village of Deji in Pakharair panchayat is the hardest hit, with 11 residents still missing. Additionally, more than 80 vehicles have been swept away.

Condemns state government’s ‘poor response’

Jai Ram criticized the state government's response, labeling the relief efforts as “slow and inadequate.” He noted, “While the NDRF and SDRF teams have arrived in Seraj, the level of deployment and urgency is insufficient. At this rate, it could take months to restore basic services.”

He questioned Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s brief visit to Seraj, stating, “The CM arrived at a helipad, spent only two minutes, distributed a few ration packets, and departed. This seemed more about appearances than a genuine assessment of the situation.”

Jai Ram also claimed that his attempts to reach the Chief Minister had been ignored. “I called him six times this morning, but his office informed me he was unavailable and instructed not to connect calls,” he said.

Jai Ram demands central assistance

In response to a media inquiry, Jai Ram confirmed that he had contacted the central government, requesting compensation and a comprehensive relief package. He acknowledged the Centre's approval of a Rs 6,000 crore disaster aid fund and urged that the funds be utilized promptly.

Call for urgent restoration work

Jai Ram Thakur urged the administration to mobilize additional equipment, including heavy machinery, to expedite the restoration of roads, power, and water services. He stressed that relief distribution should remain apolitical.

“The priority must be on aiding affected families, not on media coverage. The government needs to act with seriousness and urgency,” he emphasized.

He also called for satellite communication tools and better coordination to reach remote areas where connectivity has been lost.

‘My life is tied to the people of Seraj’

In conclusion, Jai Ram Thakur stated, “My life and death are intertwined with the people of Seraj. Their suffering is deeply personal to me.” He cautioned the state government to take decisive action, asserting that he would be closely monitoring the situation.

The press conference was attended by BJP MLAs Anil Sharma (Mandi Sadar), Vinod Kumar (Nachan), Inder Singh Gandhi (Balh), and district BJP president Nihal Chand Sharma, among others.