Admn on alert after heavy rain warning

Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, August 16

After heavy rain warning in Ludhiana and other districts of Punjab during next 48-72 hours, the administration has alerted all departments concerned. Deputy Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Agrawal has asked the departments concerned to keep a vigil on the water level in the Sutlej and Buddha Nullah.

According to the report of the India Meteorological Department sent to the Financial Commissioner (Revenue), Punjab, rain of moderate to heavy intensity (7-12 cm) is likely in Punjab during next 48-72 hours. District likely to be affected are Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Nawanshahr, Tarn Taran, Ludhiana, Patiala, Sangrur, Mansa, Bathinda, Moga, Barnala and adjoining areas, including catchment areas of the Ravi, the Beas and the Sutlej.

The report further reads: “One or two spells of very heavy rainfall exceeding 12 cm are likely over Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and adjoining areas during this period”

Mayor Balkar Singh Sandhu said the officials of operations and maintenance wing and other branches had been alerted too. They will keep a check on Buddha Nullah to prevent overflowing.

Executive Engineer of Drainage Department Harjot Singh said: “We are already on alert due to the ongoing rainy season. Moreover, we have strengthened the banks of Buddha Nullah and the Sutlej at vulnerable points. We are keeping a vigil on the level of water in the Sutlej.”

Blocked point at Buddha Nullah unplugged

On the instructions of the National Green Tribunal, 16 illegal points from where untreated water was being discharged into Buddha Nullah were plugged a few years ago. One such point in the Gandhi Nagar area has reportedly been unplugged to prevent flooding of the nearby areas. Sources said a few persons removed the sand bags which were placed to plug the illegal point. The sources said efforts were being made to unplug a few other points too. The superintending engineers concerned could not be contacted for comment.