Mandi Battles Road Collapse As Flood Recovery Work Ramps Up Rapidly
Amid widespread destruction caused by flash floods, authorities in Mandi district have launched an urgent road restoration effort in the severely affected Seraj and Nachan constituencies. Over 250 roads and 14 bridges, including key rural routes, have been damaged, cutting off access to multiple villages. Officials said efforts are underway to reconnect isolated areas, ensure aid delivery, and stabilise the local terrain to reduce the risk of further infrastructure collapse.
Following the flash floods and cloudburst in Mandi district, emergency teams are working to restore road connectivity to some of the region’s hardest-hit zones, including Thunag, Baga, and Gohar. The terrain, marred by landslides and broken bridges, has hampered access to essential services, leaving many villagers stranded. A senior official confirmed that around 250 roads and six key bridges in the Thunag subdivision alone were rendered unusable. Restoration teams are now focusing on strategic routes such as Baga–Pangliur and Janjehli–Karsog to re-establish movement of goods, medical services, and relief materials. The Public Works Department has prioritised rebuilding roads to Chadda Nala, Peehan, and Phagwar in the Gawad panchayat. To prevent future flood-induced damage, authorities are evaluating the possibility of redirecting the Thunag khad (local stream) away from vulnerable zones. Road barricades, mules, helicopters, and field support teams have been deployed for high-altitude delivery of aid and materials.
In villages like Dan, Tilli, and Sakoli Khad, displaced families are facing an acute housing crisis after their homes were swept away. In response, the state has rolled out an interim rental compensation programme of ₹5,000 per month for each affected household until permanent housing is arranged. Emergency shelters and healthcare units have also been mobilised to prevent secondary disasters such as disease outbreaks. Senior engineers and disaster response teams are conducting joint surveys to assess structural damage, particularly in water supply and power networks. Medical teams, Home Guard personnel, and local volunteers have been deployed to ensure the last-mile reach of relief items. According to district-level sources, the top priority is restoring safe vehicular routes before the next rainfall cycle intensifies risks. Experts emphasise that long-term resilience planning, especially in flood-prone mountainous regions like Seraj and Nachan, must now be integrated into road design and community rehabilitation frameworks.
The monsoon-triggered devastation in Mandi has exposed critical gaps in rural infrastructure resilience. While immediate restoration of roads and relief access is progressing rapidly, experts warn that these short-term efforts must evolve into long-term safeguards against future weather-induced crises. With more rain forecast, timely completion of strategic road links and support bridges remains essential. Authorities have committed to continued support for displaced families and plan to integrate stream diversion, reinforced roads, and stable housing into future rebuilding efforts. As recovery unfolds, the resilience of local communities will hinge on proactive planning, sustained funding, and effective inter-agency coordination.
