Dharampur flash floods: Committee formed to assess flood impact, chart out preventive steps

In the wake of the devastating floods that struck Dharampur subdivision in Mandi district on September 16, the local administration has initiated measures to enhance disaster preparedness and strengthen damaged infrastructure. A review meeting led by Dharampur MLA Chander Shekhar was held yesterday at the SDM’s office in Dharampur to assess the flood impact and chart out preventive strategies for future.

A major outcome of the meeting was the formation of a specialised committee tasked with identifying and documenting the highest water levels reached during the flooding. The committee will function under the leadership of Tehsildar Dharampur and include local patwaris and kanungos, along with Junior Engineers from the PWD and Jal Shakti Vibhag (Water Resources Department).

This technical team will conduct field surveys from Brang to Kandapatan, Masaut, and Jhangi Pul—regions that were among the worst-hit by the recent disaster. Their primary objective is to mark high-water points in the Son Khad river basin and adjoining areas to assist in future flood modelling and disaster mitigation efforts.

MLA Chander Shekhar has set a deadline of October 10 for the completion of the task and submission of a detailed report. “This exercise will help us understand the flood dynamics of the region and form basis of future planning,” he said during the meeting.

Later in the day, a second review meeting was held at the Block Development Office, also chaired by the MLA. The agenda focused on evaluating flood-induced damage to essential rural infrastructure, particularly retaining walls (locally known as dangs), rural roads, and drainage systems.

The MLA expressed concern over the stalled development works at the panchayat level and issued instructions to officials to resume work on these projects. “We cannot afford any delay in rehabilitation and development. Time-bound, quality execution is the need of the hour,” he stated categorically.

The series of meetings saw active participation from key administrative and technical personnel, including SDM Dharampur Joginder Patial, Tehsildar Ramesh Kumar Bhardwaj and BDO Balam Ram. Also present were Executive Engineers from the PWD, Jal Shakti and Electricity departments, along with Kanungo Abhishek, technical assistants, panchayat inspectors, block engineers, junior engineers, and other field staff.

The MLA also directed officials to ensure that all observations and ground reports are compiled systematically for submission to the district administration and state government for appropriate action and funding.