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Rainfall subsides, rivers still swollen

JALANDHAR: With three more breaches reported — two in Kapurthala at Tibbi (Gidderpindi) and Sarwal villages and one in Mandala, Jalandhar — the Sutlej breaches have escalated to a point where thousands of villagers are forced to spend nights on rooftops.

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Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, August 20

With three more breaches reported — two in Kapurthala at Tibbi (Gidderpindi) and Sarwal villages and one in Mandala, Jalandhar — the Sutlej breaches have escalated to a point where thousands of villagers are forced to spend nights on rooftops.

Over 150 villages in Kapurthala and Jalandhar have been affected by floods of which over 70 are completely submerged. Villagers said in around 80-100 deras (field homes), residents had not been rescued.

In Lohian village alone, 700-800 persons had been stranded on rooftops with no tarpaulins or even clean drinking water.

At Lohian, relief camps set up at Nal village have also been flooded with displaced villagers whose houses had been completely submerged.

Kapurthala DC DPS Kharbanda said: “Due to the river changing course towards Kapurthala, some bundhs could not sustain the pressure of water. However, over 200 persons have been rescued and only 50-100 men have stayed back. We are providing full aid and relief to those stranded and also bringing in teams to plug breaches.”

Jalandhar DC Varinder Sharma said: “The Chief Minister has given a go-ahead for deploying three helicopters to airdrop food and water supplies to villagers stranded at Lohian.”


Sangrur, August 20 

Within the last 24 hours, the water level in the Ghaggar has risen from 737 feet to 745 feet. With 750 feet being the danger mark, local residents fear the seasonal rivulet, which has not been repaired for quite some time, may flood the area again.  

“The Punjab Government has not repaired the embankments of the Ghaggar for some time hence the flood threat looms large over many villages. We have not received any financial compensation for the losses we suffered last month after a breach in the Ghaggar. The state government must take steps to prevent reflooding of our area,” said Surinder Singh, a farmer from the Moonak area of Sangrur. 

In July,  floods had damaged standing crops over 10,000 acres in Bhundar Bhaini, Surjan Bhaini, Salemgarh, Phullad villages and surrounding areas.

Till  Monday morning,   the level in the Ghaggar was around 737 feet. On Tuesday, it rose to 745 feet. Some senior officers said they feared that the water level was likely to cross the danger mark on Tuesday night. 

“Like us, residents of many villages have started strengthening the embankments of the Ghaggar to prevent a breach. We request Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh to look into the matter,” said Harmanjit Singh, another resident of Salemgarh village.

The state government  had submitted a proposal to the Central Water Commission (CWC) for taming of the Ghaggar six years ago. In March 2019, the CWC had ordered a feasibility study by an independent agency like Central Water & Power Research Station, Pune. Amarinder Singh during his visit to flood-affected areas of Moonak on July 23 had announced that he would urge the Centre to give the clearance to the phase II of the river project from Makror Sahib to Karail.“

“The CM is taking all required steps to prevent floods in the state. He is getting daily feedback on the Ghaggar. Today I visited water-affected villages and directed officers concerned to speed up relief operations,” said Vijay Inder Singla, Cabinet Minister, after visiting villages.  — TNS


88 villages submerged in Kapurthala district alone

60 villages Flooded in Jalandhar after  breach in Mandala


Admn to plug gaps, locals call it eyewash

  • While the Jalandhar administration said breaches would be plugged with the Army help, Mandala, Janian, Janian Chahal and Kapurthala villagers said the announcement was eyewash
  • After repeated calls to officials went ‘unanswered’, Janian and Madala villagers deployed JCBs and trolleys to plug breaches
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