For Mandi health worker, no stream too big in line of duty

In a display of extraordinary courage and dedication, a female health worker from Tikkar village in Mandi district risked her life by leaping across a swollen stream to report for duty at the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Sudhar, located in the flood-ravaged Chauhar valley.

The incident highlights the dire situation faced by residents and frontline workers in the Silhbuhani and Sarsawan panchayats, where torrential rain and flashfloods in recent days have caused massive destruction. With bridges washed away and roads completely damaged, movement in the area has become not just difficult but life-threatening.

The flashfloods had wreaked havoc across villages in the Chauhar valley. Makeshift footbridges and pathways across khuds (seasonal streams) and nullahs (drains), which serve as the only means of connectivity for remote hamlets, have been washed away.

Local residents, including daily commuters and government employees, are now forced to take dangerous routes or risk wading through fast-flowing waters to reach their destinations.

On Friday, a female health worker, Kamla, a resident of Tikkar village, was determined to report for duty at the CHC in Sudhar, even as natural barriers stood in her way. With regular access routes destroyed and no alternative transport available, Kamla walked over 4 km through a treacherous terrain.

The final challenge came when she faced a gushing stream, swollen from continuous rain. Knowing that missing her duty could affect critical healthcare services in the area, she mustered courage and jumped across the stream — putting her life at risk to ensure patients were not left unattended.

“It was dangerous, but duty is important. The health centre depends on us,” she said, speaking modestly about her brave act.

Praising the brave act of Kamla, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Mandi, Dr Deepali Sharma, said, “I appreciate the dedication of Kamla towards her duty. She went to a village for the immunisation of a child.

“I urge all health workers to take safety measures while on duty and avoid risking their lives,” the CMO said.

This year, one fatal incident was reported from Seraj Mandi, when a person lost his life while crossing a water stream. In another incident, two persons, who were swept away by a gushing stream while crossing, were rescued by villagers.

The challenges are not unique to Kamla alone. Several healthcare and government workers in the flood-hit region are facing enormous risks to ensure basic services continue in these remote parts of Himachal Pradesh. Many are walking miles on foot, crossing landslides, and climbing through slippery, broken paths.

Villagers have urged the administration for the urgent restoration of roads, construction of temporary bridges and deployment of relief teams to ensure uninterrupted access to essential services.