Rescue operation continued in Punjab and its neighbouring states amid the ongoing floods. Due to the continuous release of water from the dams in Punjab, 7 districts are facing the brunt of floods. The flood gates of Pong Dam were opened at 2.30 pm on Thursday.
In the morning, the water in Pong Dam crossed the danger level of 1390 feet and reached 1396 feet. The administration has asked people to stay away from the river.
After CM Mann visited Gurdaspur via road, the Punjab Chief Minister on Thursday reached Beas and took stock of the flood affected area.
Irrigation Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal, who reached Ferozepur, said that so much water is coming from behind, as never before. There is more water than in 1988 and 2023. The flow of water is so much that the dams are not able to handle it, making it difficult to control the situation.
As per reports, a total of 3 deaths have been registered in Punjab Flood till now. 2 people died in Madhopur and one in Gurdaspur due to being swept away in the flood. 3 members of a family are missing in Pathankot. The body of a girl child has been found there.
The worst situation is in Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Ferozepur and Fazilka. More than 150 villages here have been affected by floods. There is 5 to 7 feet of water in many areas.
More than 2000 people were rescued and taken to relief camps in Ferozepur. Army, NDRF, Police and other agencies are engaged in relief and rescue work. Land and water vehicles have been deployed in the flood affected areas.
The number of flood affected villages in Ajnala, Amritsar has increased from 15 to 25. Rescue operations are going on here. Some villages in Amritsar have been evacuated due to the continuous rise in the water level of Ravi.
Notably, Indian Air Force reportedly delivered ration to people in Pathankot by Chinook helicopter.
Furthermore. the Indian Army deployed its advanced ATOR N1200 All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) in Amritsar to aid rescue and evacuation efforts. The ATOR N1200, a specialized amphibious vehicle, is capable of navigating both deep water and rough terrain, making it ideal for operations in flood-hit areas where conventional vehicles cannot reach.