Humanitarian crisis deepening due to lack of ration, LPG cylinders, medical aid
Munish Sood
Mandi/Kullu: Ten days without electricity, roads in a dilapidated condition, entire villages sliding downhill and families forced to carry patients on chairs for several kilometres — this is the grim reality of Himachal Pradesh’s Banjar constituency in Kullu district.
Former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur’s media coordinator Purushottam Sharma has launched a scathing attack on the state government, accusing it of completely abandoning the disaster-hit region.
“Banjar has been cut off for weeks. A Dharali-type disaster had occurred as a flashflood occurred in a nullah. NH-305, the lifeline of this region, remains blocked in over 25 places. Over 70 bus routes are suspended, landslides have left roads collapsing daily and yet neither the Chief Minister nor his ministers have come here. It feels like this constituency has been left to die on its own,” Sharma said.
Entire villages emptied, families in despair
The scale of devastation is staggering. Sari village has been entirely vacated, with 85 families abandoning their homes. In Bandal, continuous landslides have pushed the entire settlement downhill. Across Banjar, Sainj and Balichowki, hundreds of homes have either collapsed or sunk, while many more remain at risk.
Children have not attended school for two months. Farmers and orchardists are watching helplessly as apples and pomegranates worth crores of rupees rot in fields, unable to reach markets. With ration, LPG cylinders and medical aid scarce, the humanitarian crisis is deepening each day.
Government’s ‘silence’ draws criticism
Sharma accused the Public Works Department of moving too slowly and claimed the state’s leadership had shown no urgency. “The government has failed to restore roads and electricity at war-footing. It is heartbreaking that people must beg for tarpaulins to save their homes. If this is disaster management, then the people of Banjar have truly been orphaned,” he said.
In sharp contrast, civil society efforts have brought some relief. Sharma thanked Shimla-based social worker Sarbjit Singh Bobby, who, under the guidance of former CM Jai Ram Thakur, sent 210 ration kits to Banjar and Balichowki. Local coordinators, including MLA Surender Shourie, BJP leader Mukesh Maidi and journalists like Hans Raj Sain and Hariram Chaudhary ensured supplies reached those most-affected.
Administration defends relief operations
When contacted, Kullu Deputy Commissioner Torul S Raveesh acknowledged the crisis but defended the administration’s ongoing work.
“I understand the pain of Banjar’s people — it is unimaginable. But the administration is working day and night to restore essential services. Our top priority is reopening the NH-305, which we have already restored from Anni to Jalori. PWD teams are working round-the-clock on other stretches as well,” she said.
The DC further added: “Electricity and mobile connectivity have been restored up to Banjar and restoration work in other areas is progressing. We have already delivered 140 quintals of ration, along with air-dropped supplies in inaccessible pockets. To ensure healthcare, mobile medical vans were sent yesterday to Rainsar and Neuli.”
