Central Inter-Ministerial Team Assesses Disaster Damage in Thunag and Janjehli; Jairam Thakur Calls for Area-Specific Rehabilitation Plan.
Shimla:
A high-level inter-ministerial central team arrived in Mandi district to assess the extensive damage caused by cloudbursts, floods, and landslides during the ongoing monsoon season. On Sunday, the team visited several disaster-hit areas of Thunag sub-division, including Bagshyad, Sharan village, and surrounding regions.
The delegation reviewed the damage to homes, public infrastructure, and government institutions, including the Industrial Training Institute in the area. The team also inspected the landslide-hit area of Funyar in Murhag Gram Panchayat and assessed the damage to the drinking water scheme at Chadhi Khad near Dhangudhar. In Thunag market, the team evaluated the impact on local businesses, homes, and the overall economy of the region due to the severe flooding.
The team visited Deji village, where roads and public property were washed away, and later inspected affected areas in Lambathach, Pandavshila, and Kuthah. They reviewed the damage to schools, roads, and other critical infrastructure, including at Bungrail Chowk, where the local market and road network were significantly affected.
Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan briefed the team about the scale of devastation and ongoing restoration efforts, while local MLA and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur accompanied the delegation throughout the visit. Thakur highlighted that the Seraj Assembly Constituency alone has suffered losses exceeding Rs. 1,000 crore. He called for an area-specific rehabilitation and resettlement plan and emphasized the need for detailed research into the recurring natural disasters in the region.
Thakur added that the neighboring constituencies of Nachan, Dharampur, and Karsog also witnessed substantial losses and require a structured and long-term rehabilitation framework. He stressed that repeated disasters in these areas demand scientific studies to identify root causes and develop permanent mitigation strategies.
Speaking to the media, Thakur expressed gratitude to the Central Government for sending the evaluation team promptly. He stated that after the team finalizes its report, he will personally visit Delhi to urge Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda to provide generous financial assistance for Himachal Pradesh.
The central team comprised senior officials from various ministries, including the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Ministry of Power, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Ministry of Rural Development, and the Ministry of Agriculture. Officials included G. Parthasarathi (Joint Secretary, MHA), Kandarpa V. Patel (Deputy Secretary, Finance), Wasim Ashraf (Director, CWC), Karan Sareen (Deputy Director, CEA), A.K. Kushwaha (Chief Engineer, MoRTH), Deep Shekhar Singhal (Under Secretary, Rural Development), and Dr. Vikrant Singh (Joint Director, Agriculture).
Also present during the inspections were Special Secretary (Revenue and Disaster Management) D.C. Rana, Additional SP Sachin Hirematt, Additional District Magistrate Dr. Madan Kumar, and SDM Thunag Ramesh Kumar along with other senior district officials.
The visit is expected to play a crucial role in the central government’s decision on financial aid and long-term mitigation planning for disaster-affected regions in Himachal Pradesh.
