CM Sukhu, during his ongoing three-day visit to Mandi district, toured various disaster-affected areas in the Seraj and Nachan Assembly Constituencies to assess the extensive damage caused by heavy rainfall and cloudbursts.
While addressing the media in Sundernagar, the Chief Minister assured that the government acted promptly to restore essential services and infrastructure. He informed that almost all major roads in the region have been reopened, and efforts to restore link roads are being carried out on a war footing. As many as 50 JCB machines were deployed from the very first day to speed up road clearance and accessibility.
He announced that roads connecting Chail Chowk, Bagsyad, Thunag, Janjehli, and Chhatri would be included under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) to develop them as composite roads. He acknowledged that roads and bridges from Thunag to Janjehli have sustained severe damage, though temporary restoration has been completed. He reiterated that there will be no shortage of funds for full rehabilitation, with ₹7 crore already released to accelerate relief and restoration work.
Deputy CM and PWD Minister have also visited the affected areas to assess the damage, the Chief Minister noted.
Highlighting the scale of destruction, CM Sukhu said that the disaster caused unprecedented losses, including extensive damage to livestock, crops, and vegetables. The state government, along with the district administration, has been working round the clock to provide relief materials to the affected families. Compensation will be provided for livestock loss and essential needs such as clothing, he added.
He also shared that in many areas, people’s private land is no longer safe for habitation. The state government plans to seek permission from the Central Government to allocate forest land for the resettlement of displaced families. He urged the state’s BJP MPs to support this proposal to help affected residents relocate to safer locations.
The Chief Minister further announced that displaced families residing in rented accommodations will receive ₹5,000 per month in rural areas and ₹10,000 per month in urban areas as rent assistance.
He also noted significant damage in Mandi’s Dharampur region due to heavy rainfall, where local MLA Chandrashekhar is actively supporting relief efforts. Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani will be stationed in the affected areas over the next two days to monitor the ongoing rescue and rehabilitation operations.
