Breach yet to be plugged, villages marooned

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, July 20

Things have been taking a turn for the worse as Ghaggar water has started disconnecting villages in the area and has also touched the main Patran-Moonak road. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Army and locals have plugged around 20-feet breach, but water is still flowing out of from Ghaggar through a breach of about 60-65 feet.

The Ghaggar breach occurred near Phullad village on Thursday morning. Sangrur DC Ghanshyam Thori immediately wrote to the NDRF and Army, but the lack of a much-needed wide passage at the breach site has slowed down all efforts to plug it. Volunteers of NGO Khalsa Aid have also reached Phullad village to help the authorities.

Meanwhile, water has submerged around 5,000 acres of standing paddy crop while many link roads leading to Bhundan Bhaini and Surjan Bhaini have been inundated, leaving these village disconnected from other areas. Area residents have started facing shortage of fodder and other necessary items.

“We have packed our all household items and are waiting for government help to shift to another location. But neither any local officers nor any senior officer has visited our area till now,” said Satinder Kaur of Bhundar Bhaini village.

Government and private schools of the area remained closed today while the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has also shut supply to agriculture feeders of the area, including Kudni, Radhe Krishnan, Handa Branch, Surjan Bhaini, New Makorad, Old Makorad, Phullad, Hamirgarh and Mandvi.

Moonak SDM Suba Singh said efforts were on to improve the situation and they were getting all cooperation from area residents.

“During the past 24 hours, we have further plugged around 20-feet breach while 15-feet breach was plugged earlier. We are working hard to plug all breaches,” he said.