A high-level Central team visited the disaster-hit areas of Mandi district to review the widespread damage caused by recent natural disasters, including cloudbursts, flashfloods, and landslides.
The team, led by Kandarp V Patel, Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, visited some of the worst-hit areas in the Seraj Assembly constituency, including Thunag and Janjehli. They were joined by Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur and Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan.
Jai Ram Thakur thanked the Central government for their quick response. He also said he would soon travel to Delhi to seek a special financial package for Seraj, the worst-hit subdivision in Mandi.
After visiting the affected areas, the team held a review meeting with district and departmental officials at the DRDA Conference Hall in Mandi. Patel expressed deep concern for the affected people and assured that the Central team would study all the initial damage reports closely.
He said that once the final assessment reports are ready, a detailed report will be sent to the National Executive Committee on Disaster Management, and later to a high-level committee chaired by the Union Home Minister for financial help and further action.
DC Apoorv Devgan shared a detailed overview of the devastation caused by the disaster, which struck on the night of June 30. According to initial estimates, the total loss in the district has crossed ₹708 crore, affecting both public infrastructure and private property.
According to the reports, the Thunag subdivision suffered the highest losses at Rs 394 crore, followed by Karsog Rs 55 crore and Dharampur Rs 47 crore. The break-up of the damages is Public Works Department: Rs 302 crore, Jal Shakti Department: Rs 190 crore, HPSEB: Rs 34 crore, Rural Development Dept: Rs 58 crore, Horticulture Dept: Rs 31 crore, Agriculture Dept: Rs. 8 crore, Education Dept: Rs 15 crore, Mandi Municipal Corporation: Rs 6.5 crore and Health Department: Rs 3 crore.
The damage to private property was also severe as 349 houses completely destroyed while 546 houses were partially damaged. As many as 241 shops and 755 cattle sheds were damaged while 1,155 animals lost their lives. Patikri Power House near Pandoh was completely washed away, causing an estimated loss of ₹85 crore.
So far, ₹57 lakh in immediate relief has been distributed. Around 700 people were shifted to 17 relief camps, with 393 people still staying in 15 operational camps. Relief supplies include over 3,800 ration kits, 1,238 blankets, and 6,752 tarpaulins.
DC Rana, Special Secretary (Revenue & Disaster Management), praised the Central team's quick response. He stressed the need for long-term rehabilitation, including rebuilding homes in safer areas, slope protection, better flood management, and using pre-fabricated shelters for displaced families.
Currently, over 2,500 personnel from the PWD, Jal Shakti, and HPSEB are involved in restoration work. Relief efforts are also being supported by the NDRF, SDRF, Indian Army, ITBP, and Home Guards.
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