Fazilka village turns into island

Fazilka, August 22

Border village Dhani Natha Singh, falling under Jalalabad subdivision in the district, having a population of about 950 residents, has turned into an island as the link of the village with the mainland has been snapped due to floods.

The village has been surrounded by floodwater on all sides for last few days. The village has a typical topography. On one side is Pakistan, the Sutlej covers its two sides and it is connected with the mainland by road on the fourth. Since the road is submerged in floodwater, the villagers are dependent on boats provided by the civil administration.

“The villagers are using boats to ferry their belongings,” said Jagir Singh, who has been sailing boats for the last 15 years during floods. The villagers want a permanent solution to the problem as they have to suffer every time when the Sutlej is in spate. — OC