TNR News Network
Mandi: As torrential monsoon rains continue to batter Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has reached out to families devastated by flashfloods and cloudbursts in Mandi district, promising comprehensive government support for recovery and rehabilitation.
At least 13 persons have died and 29 are still missing after a series of cloudbursts triggered flashfloods in the Dharampur region.
CM Sukhu visited Syathi village in the Longani panchayat of Dharampur Assembly constituency, one of the worst-affected locations, and personally met disaster-hit families. The Chief Minister assured the disaster-hit families that the state government would stand firmly with every affected household and extend all possible assistance.
During the visit, the Chief Minister reviewed the ongoing relief and rehabilitation work being carried out by the district administration. He announced a special relief package for the reconstruction of damaged houses and said enhanced compensation would be provided for loss of livestock as well as for the destruction of cowsheds.
Climate change a factor for rain devastation
“Several cloudburst incidents have occurred across the state and climate change could be one of the contributing factors,” said CM Sukhu while addressing mediapersons. He stressed the need for joint studies by central and state governments to understand and mitigate such disasters.
He added that substantial damage had also been reported from Thunag, Janjehli and Bagsyad areas of Mandi district, and essential services were being restored on a priority basis.
Families demand land for reconstruction
Several residents shared their harrowing experiences with the Chief Minister, stating that the disaster had wiped out not just their homes but even the land on which they could erect temporary shelters. They requested government intervention for land allotment to rebuild their lives.
In response, CM Sukhu assured that if government land is available in the region, it would be allotted for housing. In cases where land falls under forest jurisdiction, he promised to take up the matter with the Central government for necessary clearances.
Accompanying the Chief Minister during the visit was Dharampur MLA Chander Shekhar, who briefed him about the extent of the devastation in the constituency.
According to official estimates, the cloudburst in Dharampur destroyed 26 houses, 31 cowsheds and two shops, while 76 animals perished and a key iron bridge was also damaged.
