Isolated for over a week, Seraj villagers urge govt for resumption of services

Over 24 village panchayats in the Bali Chowki-Gadagushaini region of the Seraj Assembly constituency in Mandi district have been completely deprived of basic services for more than a week. Since September 2, the area residents have been struggling without electricity, clean water, road connectivity and mobile phone services that have been disrupted due to heavy rain and landslides.

Local residents are now calling for immediate government intervention while alleging inaction on the part of the administration and the state leadership. Raju Thakur, former pradhan of Ghat gram panchayat, said that Khauli, Thachadhar, Jufarkot, Ghat, Boong Jahl Gad, Thata, Khalwahan and Sudharani villages, besides over 20 others were either completely or partially cut off after roads collapsed and essential infrastructure was damaged.

He said, “Daily life has come to a standstill. With electricity, water supply and mobile phone services disrupted, people are living in complete isolation.” He added, “Parents are especially distressed, as they are unable to contact their children studying outside the region due to the telecom network blackout. The transportation of food and essential items has also been affected. As main roads have been damaged or washed away, local residents are forced to carry supplies on foot. The farmers are unable to transport their perishable vegetable and apple produce to market in time.”

Patients, including expectant mothers, elderly and those with serious medical conditions, are being transported on makeshift stretchers and chairs, as ambulances and vehicles are unable to reach the rain-affected areas. Villagers warn that without immediate relief, the medical situation can spiral into a major emergency.

There is also a food shortage and locals fear that the crisis may escalate in the coming days if relief does not reach in time. Locals submitted a memorandum to the Mandi Deputy Commissioner today, urging him to take swift action and restore essential services.

They criticised former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, who is the MLA of Seraj, for remaining silent on the issue. “Jai Ram should raise the concerns of people with the government. Silence in such times is unacceptable,” they added.

Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan told the delegation that restoration efforts were underway but infrastructure had suffered massive damage. “Relief material has already been sent to Sharan, Balu, Gadagushaini and Nisaini depots. We are working on a war footing and monitoring the situation closely,” he added.

Devgan said that power supply and telecom services had been restored partially in some parts of Bali Chowki.