Devastation in Seraj: A Night of Terror, A Region in Ruins
On the night of July 1st, the peaceful valleys of Seraj in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district were shattered by nature’s fury. As darkness fell, cloudbursts and flash floods tore through villages, leaving behind a trail of destruction that locals are calling the worst disaster of the century.
Entire communities were caught off guard. In Thunag Bazaar, over 150 homes and shops were wiped out in hours. Across the region, more than 400 houses were damaged, and over 80,000 people have been affected. Families who went to bed under a roof are now sleeping under open skies, their homes reduced to rubble.
Lives Lost, Many Still Missing
The tragedy deepened as nine bodies were recovered—seven from Thunag, and one each from Jarol and Pandavshila. But the search continues. Seventeen people from Deji Pakhrair and two from Pandavshila are still missing, their families clinging to hope.
A Region Cut Off
Jarol Bazaar lies in ruins. Roads and bridges in Thunag have vanished. Electricity and water systems are down. With mobile networks dead, many villages are completely cut off—unable to call for help or even let loved ones know they’re alive.
Hospitals, schools, and government offices have also been hit. In Serthi and Bhadrana, homes and cowsheds were flattened. Thankfully, no lives were lost there—but the fear remains.
Rescue Efforts Underway, But Challenges Mount
Emergency teams from NDRF, SDRF, police, and DDMA are working around the clock. So far, 332 people have been rescued, including 12 children and 4 women from Jayuni Khad, and seven families from Rikki village.
But broken roads and collapsed bridges are making rescue operations painfully slow. Some teams have reached Pandavshila and Bagsyad, but many areas remain inaccessible.
A Cry for Help
Local residents and activists from Himalayan Niti Abhiyan, including Guman Singh and Hem Singh, are pleading for aerial surveys and military support. “We need help now, not tomorrow,” said one shaken resident.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a warning for more rain in the next 24 hours, raising fears of further devastation.
The Road Ahead
This is more than a natural disaster—it’s a humanitarian crisis. Rebuilding Seraj will take months, maybe years. But what’s needed right now is swift, coordinated action. Relief must reach those stranded. Food, shelter, and medical aid must be delivered. And above all, the people of Seraj need to know they’re not alone.
Because Seraj isn’t just a dot on the map—it’s home to tens of thousands of people whose lives have been turned upside down.
