Rs 7 lakh to rebuild house, Rs 50,000 for cow: Himachal CM announces relief in Seraj; BJP chief Nadda too in Mandi

TNR News Network
Mandi:
In response to the devastating cloudbursts that wreaked havoc across Mandi district last week, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday (July 9, 2025) announced a comprehensive relief package for affected families during his visit to the disaster-hit Seraj Assembly constituency.

Addressing victims in Bagshyad village, CM Sukhu declared that families who lost their homes in the disaster would receive Rs 7 lakh each for reconstruction. “The state cabinet will soon approve this provision to ensure immediate assistance reaches those in need,” he said. Additionally, the government will provide Rs 50,000 to families whose livestock, particularly cows, were swept away in the floods.

The Chief Minister urged residents to rebuild their homes at least 50-100 metres away from riverbanks and streams to minimise future risks. “With increasing incidents of cloudbursts, we must prioritize safer construction practices,” he emphasised.

BJP steps up pressure; Nadda assesses damage

As the state government rolled out its relief measures, BJP national president and Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda conducted his own assessment in Pangaliyoonar (Nachan constituency), where he interacted with displaced families.

While assuring central support, Nadda hinted at a possible special assistance package, though he stopped short of committing to declare the disaster a “national calamity”, a long-standing demand of the state government.

The opposition BJP criticised the Sukhu-led administration for “delayed and inadequate” relief efforts. State BJP chief Rajiv Bindal claimed that over 30 persons remain missing, roads are still blocked and relief camps lack clean drinking water. “The government has failed to restore basic infrastructure even a week after the disaster,” he alleged.

Disaster toll continues to rise

The cloudbursts on June 30 primarily impacted Mandi’s Seraj, Nachan, Karsog and Dharmpur regions. More than 400 houses were completely destroyed while of the 42 people reported missing, only 14 bodies were recovered so far.

Bad weather forced CM Sukhu to travel by road after his helicopter could not take off from Shimla. He spent the night in Seraj to personally monitor rescue and rehabilitation efforts. Meanwhile, affected villagers expressed frustration over slow aid distribution, with many still awaiting temporary shelter and essential supplies.