A tense situation was reported in Jalandhar's Gadaipur area after a canal embankment broke late on Thursday night, allowing water to flow into Kalia Colony. The incident happened even before the peak monsoon season, creating panic among residents as water quickly spread through the colony's streets.
Cause of increased water level
According to locals, the water level in the canal had been rising because of continuous rain in several districts of Punjab. As the canal overflowed, the pressure became too much for the embankment, which eventually broke at two places. Water then started moving towards nearby residential areas.
Repair work
As soon as the breach was reported, local residents and the administration reached the spot and started repair work. People worked together through the night to stop the water from spreading further. Sandbags filled with soil were placed at the damaged parts of the embankment, while cranes were used to dump more soil and rebuild the broken sections. Des Raj, a local resident, said they first received information about the breach around 11 p.m. Soon after, another part of the embankment also gave way, making the situation more serious. Residents quickly gathered at the site and joined the rescue work to stop the water before it could reach their homes.
Crane operator
Monu, a crane operator from Salempur, said his machine was already working nearby on a road construction project. As soon as he heard about the incident, he brought the crane to the canal and helped place soil on the damaged embankment. He said both broken sections have now been repaired temporarily, and the water flow is under control.
Relief for the residents
The biggest relief for residents was that the water did not enter any houses. Although roads and open areas inside the colony were flooded, timely action helped avoid major damage to homes and household belongings. Several videos from the spot have surfaced on social media, showing water flowing through the colony while people and machines worked overnight to repair the embankment.
Efforts of the administration
After the incident, the district administration continued repair work and is keeping a close watch on the canal. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heavy rain alert for the next three days in Punjab. With more rainfall expected, officials have asked people living near canals and low-lying areas to stay alert while repair work continues.