“Seraj Has Gone Back 25 Years Due to This Tragedy”: Jai Ram Thakur Urges Govt to Intensify Relief Efforts. 

Shimla:

Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, visibly emotional, said the recent natural disaster has pushed his home constituency of Seraj back by 25 years in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. Speaking at a press conference in Mandi, Thakur shared his anguish over the devastation and criticised the state government for the slow pace of relief operations.

Thakur said that the unprecedented destruction caused by the heavy rains has undone decades of development in Seraj. “For 27 years, the people of Seraj and I have worked hard to bring the region to where it stood. But in just a few days, this tragedy has destroyed everything,” he said.

Expressing deep concern, he added, “We live and die with the people of Seraj. Their pain is my pain. I have received countless calls and seen heartbreaking videos of the destruction. After personally visiting the affected areas, I am deeply disturbed. But I assure the people of Seraj — I stand with you. With courage and unity, we will overcome this dark phase.”

Massive Damage Across Villages

Thakur listed several villages — including Janjehli, Jarol, Chyuni, Lambathach, Thunag, Bagsyad, Bara, Parwara, Thachi, Somnachni, Kuklah, and Bakhli — as among the worst-hit areas. Over 30 people are still missing, and nine bodies have been recovered so far. The most severe loss of life was reported from Deji village in the Pakhrair panchayat, where 11 people from a single village are missing.

More than 500 houses and shops have been damaged, 25 small and large bridges destroyed, and many roads are in such a dire condition that new roads will have to be constructed. Additionally, over 80 vehicles have been swept away.

Relief Operations Inadequate, Says Thakur

Thakur acknowledged the arrival of NDRF and SDRF teams in Seraj and mentioned that CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had conducted an aerial survey, landing at Rainglu to meet people and distribute ration. However, he criticised the relief operations as insufficient.

“The efforts currently underway are far from adequate. At the present pace, it may take two to three months to bring life back to normal,” he said. He urged the government to deploy more and larger machines, and to work on a war footing to restore roads, electricity, and water supply.

He also questioned the Chief Minister’s commitment, saying: “It would have been better if the CM, instead of staging a photo opportunity with his media team at the helipad, had taken stock of the actual destruction on the ground. Everyone saw how he landed, stayed for barely two minutes to unload ration, and flew back to Shimla.”

Thakur further revealed that he tried to contact the Chief Minister six times that morning, but his calls were not answered. “When I called his office, they said he was upstairs and had asked not to be disturbed. This shows how sensitive our CM really is,” he added sarcastically.

Thanks Centre, Warns State Government

While expressing disappointment with the state’s response, Thakur thanked the central government for its prompt assistance. “NDRF teams are here, search and rescue operations are underway, and helicopters from the Air Force have also been deployed,” he said. He urged the state government to focus on delivering essential supplies instead of media optics.

He concluded by warning the state government that he is closely monitoring the situation. “I am not saying too much right now. But the way relief work is being handled is not right,” he cautioned.

Thakur was accompanied by several BJP leaders, including Mandi Sadar MLA Anil Sharma, Nachan MLA Vinod Kumar, Balh MLA Inder Singh Gandhi, and Mandi BJP district president Nihal Chand Sharma.