Bridges Gone, Roads Vanished, Hope Remains

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Jai Ram Thakur – Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh represents Seraj in Mandi district, which was the epicentre of the devastating July 2025 flash floods. He has been consistently active on the ground, raising the alarm over the extent of damage and advocating for immediate relief and long-term rehabilitation.

He has estimated nearly ₹800–1000 crore in losses in Seraj alone. In his public addresses, he noted that "all possible means of livelihood have been destroyed" and highlighted that "there is no cultivable land left under our feet now." For instance, approximately 80% of Seraj’s water pipelines were damaged, cutting off water supply to over 30,000 people, and a 60‑km lifeline road was washed away along with 18 bridges.

Thakur has made several strong public statements underscoring the crisis:

• He described the situation as one of total devastation: “All is lost,” he remarked, adding that he had never witnessed such destruction in his 28-year political career.
   
• He detailed how Seraj’s road networks, water and electricity supply lines, and mobile networks were completely wiped out.
   
• He publicly committed to accompanying the Chief Minister to Delhi to seek emergency assistance from the Central Government.
   
• He urged for fair compensation policies, including reclassification of partially damaged homes, land allotment to homeless families, and farm loan waivers.
   
• Emphasizing the urgency, he appealed for the installation of prefabricated shelters before the onset of winter due to delays in rebuilding permanent houses.
   
• When questioned about the delayed visit of BJP MP Kangana Ranaut, he diplomatically avoided criticism, stating that his own priority was to remain with the people and assist in their rehabilitation.
   

Thakur has personally inspected flood-hit areas despite hazardous conditions. Notably, he narrowly escaped a rockfall while surveying damage in Lambathach village. He has toured heavily damaged zones like Thunag Bazaar and Janjehli, often travelling long distances on foot. He reportedly covered over 125 km on foot in the first two weeks after the disaster.

In several villages, including Daisy and Pakharer Panchayat, he met families who were stranded and without shelter. He also joined the Chief Minister in a high-level review meeting at Thunag Rest House, directing officials to prioritize the restoration of essential infrastructure.

He was accompanied during many of these visits by senior BJP leaders, including Anurag Thakur and Rajya Sabha MP Sikander Kumar.

Thakur has cooperated with the state administration to assess damages and fast-track restoration efforts. He pressed the Public Works and Disaster Management departments to prepare detailed project reports to rebuild key roads and bridges. He has also emphasized timely disbursement of compensation and the need for immediate infrastructure repair.

He briefed Union leaders, including the Home Minister and the BJP National President, on the gravity of the situation. He has indicated readiness to accompany the Chief Minister to meet with the Prime Minister to request a special relief package. He further urged the Centre to utilise funds like the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) for rebuilding critical roads and bridges.

Thakur’s proactive response has been widely covered in the national and regional media. Footage of him escaping a landslide during a field inspection has drawn attention to the risks he undertook while on the ground. His remarks on relief needs and damage assessments have shaped much of the media narrative around Seraj’s crisis.

Some of his statements, particularly regarding MP Kangana Ranaut’s delayed visit, became political talking points. However, he later clarified that there was no miscommunication and that he had encouraged all public representatives to visit the area once safety conditions improved.

Overall, public sentiment has recognized his constant on-ground presence, his detailed articulation of the region’s needs, and his emphasis on unity across party lines during a time of natural disaster.