Seraj villages cut off since Sept 2, residents slam lack of relief

Nearly two dozen village panchayats in the Bali Chowki–Gadagushaini region of Seraj constituency remain completely disconnected from essential services, including electricity, water supply, roads, and mobile networks, since September 2.

Despite repeated appeals, locals claim that no meaningful intervention has been made by the district administration or state government.

Former Gram Panchayat pradhan Raju Thakur said that affected panchayats include Khauli, Thachadhar, Jufarkot, Ghat, Boong Jahl Gad, Thata, Khalwahan, Sudharani, Khuhan, Kanda, Khani, Devdhar, Mani, Panjai, Bali Chowki, Som Gad, Bagi Banwas, Thachi, Basoot, Murah, Gagan, Kau, Khahari, Kholanal, Koon, Kashaur, Kuklah, and several others.

These villages are either completely or partially isolated due to widespread infrastructure breakdowns, he said.

“The closure and collapse of main roads in multiple places due to heavy rain and landslides have disrupted transportation. With the apple and vegetable harvest season underway, farmers are facing massive losses as they cannot transport their produce to the market on time,” he said.

"With no road access, patients—especially pregnant women and elderly—are being carried for kilometers on makeshift stretchers and chairs, as there are no ambulances or vehicles that can reach them. This has created a serious medical emergency in the region,” he added.

He said shortage of essential food supplies have already begun to appear in these remote areas. “If not addressed in the next 5–7 days, locals fear that the situation may turn catastrophic,” he said.

Thakur said they have submitted a memorandum regarding their demands to the Mandi Deputy Commissioner.

“The government must act now. People are suffering, isolated from the rest of the state, without food, roads, power and water, he added.