Munish Sood
Mandi: Himachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri and PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh visited several flood-ravaged areas in Mandi district to take stock of the damage and ongoing relief operations.
Meanwhile, BJP MP from Mandi and Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut, who has been under fire on social media for not visiting her disaster-hit constituency, announced she was finally en route.
Agnihotri assures help, visits relief camp
Deputy CM Agnihotri inspected the battered roads in Seraj region, including those in Bakhli and Kuklah villages, and reviewed drinking water schemes. He also visited the Jal Shakti Department’s Kuteer in Bara and interacted with people taking shelter at a relief camp.
In Saroa, he assured the affected families that the state government would extend all possible assistance.
Vikramaditya consoles bereaved families in Nachan
PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh toured the Nachan area, which suffered significant damage from a recent cloudburst. At Tilli village, he assessed road damage and later met the grieving families of Padam Singh and Pushp Raj and Tilak Raj — two brothers who were swept away in the floods in Baga village. The minister offered condolences and promised government support.
Relief and rescue operations continue in full swing in the Seraj region, with the state government, district administration, disaster management authority and voluntary organisations coordinating efforts. On Saturday (July 5, 2025) morning, 25 porters departed on foot from Bagsyad in Manali carrying ration supplies to reach the isolated village of Thunag.
Kangana responds after online trolling, heads to Mandi
Amid criticism over her silence and absence during the crisis, Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut took to X (formerly Twitter) late Friday to declare: “I am on the way to Himachal. I will visit the disaster-hit areas soon. Be assured, I stand with Himachal in every situation.”
Sources said Kangana had left Delhi and was expected to reach Sarkaghat by evening. Her schedule to visit the flood-affected regions of Dharampur, Karsog and Seraj over the next two to three days will be finalised after her arrival.
Jai Ram vs Kangana adds political twist
The controversy took a political turn after Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur was asked by the media in Mandi about Kangana’s absence and silence. “Those who don’t care, I don’t want to comment on them,” he replied. The remark sparked a backlash online, prompting Kangana to hit back on July 4, claiming Jai Ram himself had advised her to wait for roads to reopen before coming to Mandi.
