In Seraj, villagers perform last rites of missing loved ones

Thirteen days after a natural disaster struck the Seraj Valley in Mandi district, families of those missing have begun to reconcile with the harsh reality of losing their loved ones.

On Saturday, in heart-wrenching ceremonies filled with tears and prayers, family members performed the last rites of those whose bodies remained untraceable.

The tragedy unfolded when the Daizy and Bakhli rivulets unleashed massive destruction across multiple villages, including Daizy, Pakhrair, Thunag market, Pandav Sheela, Talwara, Ropa and Lambathach. In the aftermath, 11 people from Daizy and Pakhrair, four from Thunag market, two each from Pandav Sheela and Talwara and two from Ropa and Lambathach went missing.

In line with Hindu customs, families conducted pind daan, shraddh, havan, pooja and bhoj (communal meals) for the peace of departed souls.

In Payala village, rituals were held for Gokul Chand, Dolma Devi, Bhuvaneshwari Devi, Urvashi and Suryansh from Daizy Pakhrair. Mukesh, who lost his wife, two children, and both parents in the calamity, sat silent throughout the ceremony — his once cheerful demeanor now overtaken by shock and sorrow.

In Rakchui, last rites were performed for Balo Devi, while in Kater, prayers were offered for Kanta Devi and her three daughters — Ekta, Divanshi and Kamakshi. In Ghyardhar, a shraddh ceremony was held for Swarn Singh, Mathra, Monika and Arun of Thunag.

Rituals also took place for Virender and Roshan of Pandav Sheela, Radha and Purna Devi of Talwara and locals paid tribute to Trilok in Ropa. Hundreds from neighbouring villages came together in solidarity and mourning.

For many families, the inability to conduct full cremation and immerse ashes in the Ganga in Haridwar — considered spiritually essential — has left a deep emotional scar.

As villages continue to recover, the memory of those lost will linger for generations.