What Did Former Himachal CM Jairam Thakur Say About the Devastating Rainfall?

Shimla, July 8 (NationPress) A few hours of relentless monsoon rain have created a significant path of devastation across both public and private property. The toll continues to rise, with many individuals still unaccounted for on the ninth day of what is deemed one of the most catastrophic events in Himachal Pradesh's Janjehli Valley, celebrated worldwide for its natural beauty.

“Everything is lost,” expressed BJP leader and former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur, noting that in his extensive 28-year political career, he has never witnessed such extensive destruction anywhere within the state.

According to Thakur, the entire transportation network, water supply systems, power lines, and mobile communications in his Seraj Assembly constituency have been utterly obliterated. A series of back-to-back cloudbursts in Mandi district on the nights of June 30 and July 1 unleashed a sudden flood that devastated fields, homes, and infrastructure indiscriminately. The Janjehli Valley is situated at an elevation of 2,150 meters. “It may take years to restore the affected villages, particularly the extremely impacted Thunag and Seraj. However, the state government must prioritize the restoration of the road network, which has been hindered even after nine days of the disaster,” he stated.

The Seraj and Nachan Assembly seats in Mandi district have been profoundly affected. Other impacted regions include Karsog and Dharampur.

“Our concern is for the local populace; we live and die for them,” Thakur, the Leader of Opposition and the first Chief Minister from Mandi district, shared with IANS over the phone, adding, “Seraj remains engulfed in grief, with signs of devastation everywhere.”

After traversing 25 kilometers of damaged paths and fording flooded streams, Thakur reached his ancestral home in Tandi village in Thunag for the first time on Monday evening, as the entire network of roads has been destroyed.

“No matter how challenging the circumstances, they cannot deter us. Our bond is unified — we live and die together (with constituents) in every situation,” remarked the six-time lawmaker, adding, “We have faced tragedy and endured many hardships, but it cannot shatter our spirits.”

While hiking from Janjehli to Lambathach, he evaluated the extent of the damage and interacted with those impacted by the calamity. “I assure my constituents that regardless of how adverse the circumstances may be, we stand with you now and always. We will rise again because our determination is greater than the mountains and our resolve is firmer than the rocks,” said the humble and grounded Jairam Thakur.

He noted that numerous small streams in the affected areas have dried up. “On the day of the disaster, these typically dry streams transformed into mighty torrents within hours, sweeping away boulders, logs, and debris. It seems as though everything that stood in the path of the raging waters has been eradicated,” he narrated.

Thakur expressed that the catastrophe has not only claimed “our people and our homes but has also taken away our lands.”

“Now, residents are compelled to abandon their villages. There seems to be no chance of returning,” said an emotional Jairam Thakur, who encountered an eight-year-old survivor trapped in his home in Keulinnal village after a landslide. The child was rescued after nearly four hours of struggle by his family.

In a touching video shared by the former Chief Minister on X, he wrote, “To all my family members in Seraj, we must draw inspiration from this child's bravery in overcoming crises, and surely, we will prevail against these tough times.”

Thakur expressed gratitude to the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), hailed as the sentinels of the Himalayas, stating that during this tragedy, ITBP personnel are risking their lives to deliver relief supplies to those in need.

“Your support is our strength, and your cooperation is our courage. Your spirit of service will forever be remembered,” he expressed.

Before reaching his ancestral village, the BJP leader conducted an aerial survey of the affected villages in Janjehli via an Indian Air Force helicopter on Monday. “Given the level of support we are receiving, I am confident that this phase will pass, and we will emerge stronger,” asserted a confident Jairam Thakur.

In the nearby Nachan Assembly constituency, substantial destruction has occurred in the Baga and Pangliyur villages of Saryanj gram panchayat. Locals lament that everything was normal until 2 a.m. on July 1. Suddenly, massive rocks, debris, and century-old trees cascaded down the mountains, leading to widespread destruction. Residents climbed onto the roofs of their homes to save their lives, as the flood swept away houses and individuals alike.

Now, all that remains are enormous boulders and rocks, along with devastated apple and tomato fields. “Nine individuals were swept away from Baga and Pangliyur that night. The NDRF is still searching for five, but hope is dwindling with each passing day. This narrative is not exclusive to Baga or Pangliyur; it reflects the plight of the entire region,” stated Nachan legislator Vinod Kumar.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu reported on Monday that Mandi district experienced 123 percent excess rainfall in recent days, resulting in widespread devastation, while Shimla district recorded 105 percent excess rainfall.

So far, monsoon rains in Himachal Pradesh have resulted in 80 fatalities, including 52 due to disasters like cloudbursts and landslides. Mandi and Kangra have been the hardest hit, where rescue operations are ongoing.

(Vishal Gulati can be reached at vishal.g@ians.in)