Mandi’s Underwater Nightmare: Why Relief Can’t Wait
You know how they say rain is a blessing? Well, not in Mandi right now. The kind of downpour they’ve been getting—it’s like the skies decided to dump an ocean on them overnight. Entire bridges gone, roads washed away like they were made of sand. And honestly? The worst part isn’t just the damage. It’s how slow help seems to be reaching people who are literally stranded.
Ground Zero: Where Things Stand
Let me break it down for you. The Kuklah and Bakhli bridges—gone. Poof. Just like that. These weren’t some small footbridges either; we’re talking major links between villages. Now? People are either stuck or taking insane risks crossing what’s left.
And here’s the kicker—Mandi’s terrain is brutal even on a good day. Hills so steep you’d think twice about walking. That’s why those ropeways matter so much. Former CM Jairam Thakur isn’t wrong when he says they need those running 24/7 right now. At this point, it’s not about convenience—it’s about getting a bag of rice to someone who hasn’t eaten in two days.
The Politics of Disaster
Look, I’m not here to point fingers, but—when a former chief minister has to publicly beg for basic relief measures, something’s broken. Thakur’s not asking for miracles here. Just ropeways that don’t cost an arm and a leg to operate, and maybe some actual urgency from the bureaucrats.
Let me put it this way: if this was happening in Delhi, you’d have army trucks rolling in by now. But because it’s some hill district? Everything moves at the speed of government paperwork. Meanwhile, real people are sleeping in school buildings with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
What’s Actually Being Done?
The official line? “We’re doing everything possible.” Sure. They’ve got shelters set up (not enough), rescue teams working (too few), and promises of rebuilding (which’ll take months). The real heroes right now? Local volunteers and NGOs who’re out there with food packets and basic meds while dodging landslides.
Pro tip: If you want to help, donate to the Himachal Pradesh Disaster Relief Fund—but check it’s the real deal first. Scammers love a good crisis.
This Isn’t Just About Today
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: Mandi was always going to flood like this. Too much construction where there shouldn’t be, forests chopped down for resorts—it’s like we’re begging nature to smack us down. And nature’s happy to oblige.
What we need now is relief, sure. But if we don’t start building smarter—flood-resistant roads, better warning systems—we’ll be right back here next monsoon. Probably worse.
Thakur’s warning hits hard: “Today it’s Mandi; tomorrow, it could be anywhere.” He’s not wrong. The question is, will anyone listen before the next disaster strikes?
Source: News18 Hindi – Nation
