Displaced families remain in limbo
A year after the devastating cloudburst and flashfloods struck Syathi village in Longni gram panchayat under the Dharampur Assembly constituency of Mandi district, several affected families are still awaiting rehabilitation, alleging that government assistance has been inadequate and delayed.
The disaster, which occurred on June 30 last year, left nearly 20 families homeless. In the immediate aftermath, the affected residents were housed in a village temple for nearly a month before being shifted to rented accommodation. The victims claim they received rent assistance for only three months and have since been left to fend for themselves. They are also demanding compensation for livestock losses, land for rehabilitation and financial assistance to rebuild their homes.
Former Zila Parishad member raises concerns
Former Zila Parishad member and Himachal Kisan Sabha leader Bhupender Singh, who recently visited the village, accused the state government and local administration of failing to adequately rehabilitate the affected families. He alleged that while around 20 families were displaced, only eight were declared eligible for flood relief. He said a memorandum would soon be submitted to the SDM, Dharampur, seeking payment of one year's pending house rent, compensation for livestock losses and land and financial assistance for all displaced families.
Residents forced to buy land privately
According to the affected residents, several families have begun purchasing land with financial help received from individuals and social organisations as government support has not materialised. They also alleged that some households continue to live at unsafe locations because the administration denied rehabilitation assistance on the grounds that their houses were still standing, despite the structures being vulnerable to fresh landslides and lacking basic amenities such as water and electricity.
Personal stories of loss
Among those affected is Dumnu Ram, who said the disaster wiped out his livelihood after six of his mules were buried under debris. He said his 10-member family has been living in rented accommodation ever since. Although he received Rs 40,000 as compensation for the loss of the animals, he was denied housing relief because his house did not collapse completely, even though it remains unsafe for habitation.
Another resident, Deep Kumar, said he received rent assistance for only a few months and no further rehabilitation support. Dhandev, who was given Rs 2.70 lakh as financial assistance, said the amount was insufficient to purchase suitable land and appealed to the government to allot land for rehabilitation.
Administration defends relief distribution
Responding to the allegations, Dharampur SDM Joginder Patyal said a committee had assessed the damage immediately after the disaster and found only eight families eligible for relief. He said several claimants belonged to joint families residing in the same house, where the owner had already received compensation. The relief, he added, was distributed strictly in accordance with government norms.
