BRO’s help will be sought to expedite restoration work in Mandi dist: Jai Ram

Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur trekked 10 km to reach the disaster-hit regions of Thunag and Lambathach in the Seraj Assembly constituency of Mandi district today, as major roads in the area were blocked even five days after flashfloods triggered by a cloudburst and heavy rainfall.

Thakur, while speaking with mediapersons at Thunag, expressed concern over the delay in restoration efforts. He said that reopening key roads should be the top priority and the assistance of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) would be sought to expedite the restoration work. “We had warned the government about the condition of the roads on the very first day. Yet, five days on, all main routes remain inaccessible,” he added.

The former Chief Minister met with the affected families and extended his condolences to them. “Homes, shops, orchards, cattle sheds, everything has been washed away. The pain of losing loved ones is beyond repair,” he added. He called upon the state government to intensify rescue efforts, especially to trace missing persons.

Thakur said that he had written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, requesting the maximum possible support for the affected people of Himachal. He also inspected relief camps and directed officials concerned to ensure speedy restoration of essential services such as electricity, water supply and roads.

Thakur held a meeting with the local administration at Thunag and instructing it to immediately release interim relief funds, following public anger over delays. SDM Rajat Sethi accompanied Thakur.

According to Thakur, people currently taking shelter in relief camps in the region included 130 in Thunadi, 60 each in Murhala and Kadoun, 50 each in Bharari and Sharan, 40 each in Surah and Pakhrair, 35 in Leh Thach, 30 in Deji Jhundi, 25 in Jared, 20 in Lambathach, 15 in Kahara and five in Bahlidhar. He urged the authorities to ensure immediate delivery of ration and essentials, many of which are currently being transported by Army personnel. He said that a poor communication system was the major hindrance to reach out to the affected families in Seraj.

Later in the day, Public Works Department Minister Vikramaditya Singh also visited Thunag. Jai Ram Thakur accompanied him to assess the damage caused and briefed him on the urgent needs of the region. The Leader of Opposition thanked the Army, police, civil administration, social workers and residents for their united efforts in supporting the disaster-struck communities.

Himachal Tribune