Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has asked officials to speed up rehabilitation work in Mandi district, which was badly affected by flash floods and landslides. He also instructed them to work closely with Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur to ensure that relief efforts are smooth and coordinated.
The two leaders visited the flood-affected areas together and jointly reviewed the situation. On Wednesday evening, they inspected Thunag market, which was hit hard by flash floods caused by cloudbursts in the region.
Between the night of June 30 and July 1, at least 10 cloudbursts struck various parts of Mandi district. These were followed by flash floods and a landslide, leading to the death of 15 people, while 5 others were injured. Search operations are still underway to find 27 missing people believed to have been swept away during the disaster.
The natural calamity caused serious damage to property. According to the government, 1,184 houses, 710 cow sheds, and 201 shops were damaged. Additionally, around 780 livestock were reported dead.
CM Sukhu directed all government departments to urgently restore essential services, such as roads, electricity, and drinking water. He emphasised that quick action is needed to bring relief to the people who have lost their homes or are living without basic facilities.
He also promised to meet Union ministers in Delhi soon to ask for a special relief package for the state. Himachal Pradesh needs central help to recover from the disaster, he said.
The chief minister asked the concerned departments to prepare detailed project reports (DPRs) on roads, bridges, water supply, and electricity lines that were damaged. These reports must be completed within a week, he said. One important road, the 56-km Chail Chowk–Janjheli road, will be proposed under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund for strengthening.
He also said that 60% of the drinking water supply schemes have already been temporarily restored, despite the scale of the damage.
The Public Works Department (PWD) has been asked to build bailey and suspension bridges on an urgent basis to restore connectivity. Sukhu assured that the state government will provide the necessary funds for this work.
Sukhu and Thakur agreed that resettling families who lost their homes must be a top priority, especially with winter approaching. The chief minister instructed the Deputy Commissioner of Mandi to find safe places where families can be temporarily relocated.
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These sites will be equipped with prefabricated structures, which can be quickly set up to provide immediate shelter. He also asked officials to assess the losses faced by horticulture farmers, as many of their crops have been destroyed in the floods.
In a show of support, CM Sukhu spent the night at the Thunag rest house on Wednesday, staying with families who had been displaced by the floods. He also checked the facilities being provided to them, ensuring they had access to food, water, and other basic needs.
The government is continuing its efforts to ensure that every affected person gets help, and that the district returns to normal as soon as possible.
The disaster in Mandi has caused widespread destruction, but both the government and opposition are working together to support the affected people. From restoring roads and water supply to arranging shelter and preparing for winter, relief work is in full swing. Chief Minister Sukhu’s decision to personally stay with the victims and fast-track rehabilitation shows the seriousness of the state’s response.
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