Seraj flood aftermath: 400 homeless, 7 dead, 21 missing, Rs 500Cr lost

Shimla/Mandi, Aug 5,

A devastating spell of heavy rainfall triggered flash floods and massive landslides across Seraj Valley in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district on the night of June 30, 2025, leaving at least 400 families homeless, 7 people dead,  and 21 missing with many other losing their livelihood. A ground report by Himalaya Niti Abhiyan, based on direct field visits and inputs from locals, estimates that the total economic loss in Seraj Valley exceeds Rs 500 crore. The worst-hit region, Thunag town, alone suffered damages worth Rs 100 to 150 crore, with markets, homes, and government offices submerged under debris.

The disaster struck the Bakhli Naal valley, located in the Seraj Assembly Constituency of Mandi district, following continuous rainfall since June 29. The flash floods inundated dozens of rivulets and unleashed widespread landslides. According to the report shared by Guman Singh, Hem Singh and Rajnish Sharma over 50,000 residents have been directly affected, with hundreds still living in relief camps or with relatives. The flood event is being described as one of the most severe natural disasters in Himachal’s monsoon 2025 season.

The most affected villages include Rail Chowk, Bhalwad, Baiod, Keulinal, Pandav Shila, Rushad, Jarol, Lambathach, Thanadi, Thunag, Daisy, Lamanv, Deol, Khunagi, Sharan, Surah, and Patikri. In total, 622 residential houses and 350 cowsheds have been completely destroyed, while 150 homes are reported partially damaged. Over 300 domestic animals are estimated to have died, and thousands of acres of apple orchards and agricultural land have been wiped out in the region.

Entire hill slopes in the valley have caved in, and rocks now blanket what were once fertile fields. 35 to 40 families have become completely landless, while many more are struggling with unsafe homes and inaccessible properties as landslide debris continues to shift.

In Thunag, 50 percent of the market has been devastated. The local bus stand to the old tehsil building is buried under layers of mud and debris. Of the 150 commercial establishments in the market, 60 shops were completely washed away and another 40 suffered severe damage from water and debris intrusion. Local banks, lawyers’ offices, and even government institutions such as the IPH Sub Division, SDM Office, Mini Secretariat, and the horticulture college were impacted. Business operations have ground to a halt, and 120 shopkeepers are now unemployed.

“This disaster has given deep economic and emotional wounds to the people of Thunag,” said Guman Singh. “Over the years, unchecked construction along natural drainbeds and encroachment into traditional water flow paths made the region vulnerable. This was a disaster waiting to happen.”

Public infrastructure across Seraj Valley has taken a massive hit. Roads like Chail–Janjehli, Lambathach–Kalhani–Pandoh, Lambathach–Chiuni–Shaitadhar, and the Janjehli–Gadagusani road are severely damaged and remain closed to heavy vehicles. Several bridges have been washed away, and village-level roads and culverts are impassable, making relief efforts difficult. Landslides continue to disrupt access, leaving some villages cut off even weeks after the event.

The disaster has caused the complete destruction of the 13 MW Patikari hydroelectric project, a key local power source. Water supply systems have collapsed. The lift water supply project from Chhadi Khad to Shaitadhar, which serves 25 panchayats, has been badly damaged, leading to a major drinking water crisis. Several rural drinking water schemes in other villages have also failed. More than a dozen villages still remain without electricity, while power supply to the entire region remained disrupted for several days after the floods.

The damage to forest wealth and biodiversity has also been significant. Forest stretches from Magru Gala, Raigarh, Shikari Mata, Tugasi, Kalhani to Bakhli have seen hundreds of hectares washed away. Thousands of trees have been uprooted, and entire riverbanks have eroded, leaving behind barren landscapes filled with rocks.

Despite the scale of the devastation, the Himachal Pradesh government has not released an official damage estimate. The Himalaya Niti Abhiyan report urges the Revenue Department, and all concerned agencies, to conduct a comprehensive damage assessment. “Accurate data is critical so that no affected family is denied compensation or rehabilitation,” asserted Rajnish Sharma.

The local population, especially those in Thunag and Janjehli, continues to reel under the impact. In the absence of sufficient state support and slow-paced relief efforts, locals have begun reconstructing whatever they can from the rubble.

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Himachalscape bureau

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The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.

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Himachalscape bureau

The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.