The branch of Himachal State Cooperative Bank in Thunag has been severely damaged by flash floods, with media reports stating that the first floor was completely submerged and extensively damaged.
Once a trusted financial hub for over 8,000 residents, the bank is now filled with debris and water, its shutters twisted or uprooted by the raging currents.
Locals fear losses running into crores, including lockers with jewellery worth several lakhs. The bank, which served about 150 local traders, is now inaccessible, with cash, documents, and valuables reduced to rubble.
The disaster underscores the vulnerability of rural institutions including co-op banks and co-op societies to extreme weather events and the urgent need for disaster-proof financial infrastructure.
