Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri visited the flood-ravaged Seraj Valley in Mandi district to take stock of the ongoing relief and restoration efforts. During his visit, he assured the affected families of the state government’s full support and reiterated the commitment to restore normalcy as swiftly as possible.
He highlighted the extensive damage to infrastructure, especially the drinking water supply schemes, caused by the recent natural calamity. According to the Jal Shakti Department, 241 water supply schemes have been damaged, including a major Rs. 121 crore project in the Seraj and Balichowki areas. The estimated losses in the Seraj constituency alone have crossed Rs. 100 crore.
Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, the Deputy CM said that the government was working with urgency and compassion. He praised the efforts of the Jal Shakti engineers and staff, who are working round-the-clock to restore essential services. So far, 140 water schemes have been partially restored, while work on the remaining is progressing on a war footing.
He assured the public that there will be no shortage of resources to ensure access to safe and clean drinking water for all. Senior officials have been deployed in remote and difficult-to-access areas to accelerate the pace of restoration.
During his visit, the Deputy CM also interacted with local residents and listened to their grievances. He was particularly moved by the story of Tanuja Thakur, a resident of Sharan village, who survived a landslide after being trapped under debris for an entire night—a testament to the resilience and courage of the local people.
Agnihotri emphasized that continuous monitoring is underway and expressed confidence that, with the cooperation of the public and the dedication of field workers, the region would soon recover from the disaster’s impact.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
