Central Inter-Ministerial Team Assesses Rs. 708 Crore Rain Disaster Damage in Mandi; Focus on Reconstruction and Relief Work. 

Shimla:

A Central Inter-Ministerial Team held a key meeting with district officials in Mandi late last evening to assess the extensive damage caused by recent natural disasters in the region, including cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides. The team was on a visit to review the aftermath of the calamity that struck the district around midnight on June 30.

During the meeting held at the DRDA auditorium, Deputy Commissioner Apurav Devgan informed the visiting delegation that initial estimates peg the total loss at over Rs. 708 crore. The worst-hit area was the Thunag sub-division, suffering damages worth nearly Rs. 394 crore, followed by Karsog (Rs. 55 crore) and Dharampur (Rs. 47 crore).

Central Team Expresses Solidarity

The meeting was chaired by Kandarp V. Patel, Deputy Secretary (Finance Commission Division), Ministry of Finance, who conveyed the Centre’s deep sympathies with the people of Himachal Pradesh, particularly those in Mandi district. He assured that the Central team is not only assessing ground realities but will also compile a comprehensive report based on initial and final damage assessment memoranda submitted by various departments.

This report will be submitted to the National Executive Committee for Disaster Management, and, following their recommendations, will be reviewed by the High-Level Committee chaired by the Union Home Minister, Patel explained.

He urged all relevant district and departmental officials to submit detailed memoranda in accordance with prescribed guidelines to expedite the relief and rehabilitation process.

Focus on Reconstruction and Safe Relocation

D.C. Rana, Special Secretary (Revenue and Disaster Management), Government of Himachal Pradesh, thanked the central team for their prompt field inspection and collaborative assessment efforts. He commended the swift and effective response by the district administration under the leadership of the Deputy Commissioner and emphasized that the state government is now focusing on reconstruction and rehabilitation.

Rana highlighted the urgent need to relocate buildings to safer zones away from rivulets and steep slopes, stressing on slope stabilization and flood management as priorities. He also encouraged the exploration of pre-fabricated housing as a temporary solution for displaced families.

Sector-wise Breakdown of Damages

Deputy Commissioner Apurav Devgan presented a detailed damage report, citing the following:

• Public Works Department (PWD): Rs. 302 crore (roads, bridges, infrastructure)
• Jal Shakti Vibhag (Water Resources): Rs. 190 crore
• State Electricity Board: Rs. 34 crore
• Rural Development Department: Rs. 58 crore
• Horticulture Department: Rs. 31 crore
• Agriculture Department: Rs. 8 crore
• Education Department: Rs. 15 crore
• Municipal Corporation Mandi: Rs. 6.5 crore
• Health Department: Rs. 3 crore

In addition to public infrastructure, private properties also bore significant losses. The Patikri Power House near Pandoh was completely washed away in a flood, resulting in Rs. 85 crore in losses.

The disaster damaged:

• 349 houses completely
• 546 houses partially
• 241 shops
• 755 cowsheds
• 1,155 livestock lost

Relief and Rescue Operations

Immediate relief worth over Rs. 57 lakh has been disbursed to affected families. Around 700 individuals were sheltered in 17 relief camps, with 393 people still residing in 15 camps as of now. Relief supplies included 3,857 ration kits, 1,238 blankets, and 6,752 tarpaulins.

Rescue and relief efforts involved the NDRF, SDRF, Indian Army, ITBP, and Home Guards. Over 2,500 personnel from the Electricity Board, PWD, and Jal Shakti Department have been engaged in restoration works. The Health Department deployed 25 mobile teams to deliver door-to-door medical assistance in affected areas.

Deputy Commissioner Devgan praised the coordination and dedication of all officers involved in the ongoing relief operations.

Composition of the Central Team

The Inter-Ministerial Central Team included:

• G. Parthasarathy, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs (Civil Supplies & Public, Judicial)
• Kandarp V. Patel, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Finance (FCD)
• Wasim Ashraf, Director, Central Water Commission, Shimla
• Karan Sareen, Deputy Director, Central Electricity Authority
• A.K. Kushwaha, Chief Engineer, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Shimla
• Deep Shekhar Singhal, Under Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development
• Dr. Vikrant Singh, Joint Director, Directorate of Wheat Development, Ministry of Agriculture

Senior district officials including Additional Deputy Commissioner Gursimar Singh, ADM Dr. Madan Kumar, Municipal Commissioner Rohit Rathour, and Additional SP Sachin Heermath, among others, also participated in the meeting.

The visit by the central team signals an important step in expediting assistance and long-term rehabilitation planning for Mandi district, which continues to grapple with the aftermath of one of the worst monsoon disasters in recent years.