Punjab rain loss Rs 1,700 crore

Ruchika M Khanna
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, August 20

As more water was released from the floodgates of Bhakra Dam, Punjab grappled with the downstream flow of water and the havoc it is causing in the state. “The state has suffered an estimated loss of around Rs 1,700 crore,” said CM Capt Amarinder Singh.

With 69,000 cusecs of water (through power generation tunnels and floodgates) being released today by the Bhakra Beas Management Board, the water has started travelling downstream in the Sutlej. Officials said the situation remained grim in Ropar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Moga, Kapurthala and Ferozepur districts.

Thirty-six villages in Ropar, 16 in Ferozepur and 28 in Moga have been evacuated over the past two days. As many as 350 persons have been rescued in Moga and 274 in Ferozepur. There are reports of two fresh breaches in the river-protection setups at Shahkot and in Ludhiana. In Fazilka, the district administration ordered vacating of villages along the International Border as water level went up.

Government officials said they were still coming to terms with the loss of property, crops and animals because of the recent torrential rain.

Though the exact extent of damage will be known only after the special 

girdawri is carried out, initial reports by the Revenue Department show that 30,000 acres of cultivated land was submerged in Jalandhar; 21,000 acres in Tarn Taran; 14,500 in Ludhiana; 13,000 in Moga; and 7,000 acres in Ferozepur. — TNS

5,629 water supply schemes hit in HP

• Rains have claimed 63 lives in HP from June 1 to August 20 while the loss due to heavy rains and cloudbursts is estimated at Rs 626 crore 
• As many as 5,629 water supply & irrigation schemes have been affected and 799 houses damaged. As many as 824 roads still remain closed
• The Met office has predicted rains and thunderstorm in lower, mid and higher hills in the next six days from August 21 to August 26

Hry flood-hit shifted 
Sonepat & KarnaL: 25 families evacuated in the two districts

11,000 acres submerged
Karnal fields: 7,100 acres of paddy, 3,000 of sugarcane and 900 acres of maize submerged

35 villages affected
Yamunanagar: Standing crops on 1,972 hectares, 35 villages affected, as per initial reports