Munish Sood
MANDI: A family in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh is reeling from a second tragedy in just over a month after 63-year-old Puran Chand, a resident of Rod panchayat of Jarol area under Seraj block, was swept away and ki*lled while crossing a makeshift wooden footbridge on Tuesday (August 12, 2025) evening.
According to eyewitnesses, Puran Chand was returning from the market when he attempted to cross the wooden bridge over the Rod Khud. Without protective railings, the bridge offered no safeguard when he slipped, plunging into the fast-flowing stream.
The current carried him nearly 100 metres downstream, causing severe head injuries. Villagers rushed to rescue him and formed a human chain to pull him out, but he was declared dead upon arrival at the Civil Hospital in Janjehli.
Younger brother died in June flashflood
The death is a crushing blow for the family, which had lost Puran Chand’s younger brother Surender in the June 30 flashfloods. In that disaster, their house in Ghasnu Bazaar collapsed, burying Surender under the debris.
Now, the loss of the elder brother has left the family shattered. Puran Chand is survived by two sons.
Villagers blame administration for ‘negligence’
Anger is simmering among local residents, who accuse the authorities of negligence. They allege that the temporary wooden bridge, built after the June flashfloods, was unsafe and lacked basic safety measures.
“The bridge is a death trap. Without railings, it is only a matter of time before such an incident could have happened with anybody,” said local resident Rohit Thakur, demanding immediate construction of a secure bridge over the Rod Khud to prevent future tragedies.
Janjehli Station House Officer Ram Krishan confirmed the incident and said inquest proceedings had been initiated. The incident has reignited concerns over post-disaster infrastructure in the hill state. Villagers fear that unless authorities act quickly to replace temporary structures with safe, permanent alternatives, such accidents will continue to claim lives.
