Several districts of Punjab have been placed under high flood alert following continuous heavy rain over the last few days that has caused rivers and reservoirs to swell, putting people and authorities in a state of heightened vigil and alert.
The Punjab authorities are in a state of high alert since an active monsoon phase has raised the water level in large rivers such as the Sutlej and the Beas. There is rise of water level above the normal water level due to heavy rainfall, creating flood like situation. The worst affected districts because of incessant rains are Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Fazilka, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur, Pathankot, Amritsar, Rupnagar (Ropar), Ludhiana, and Jalandhar. Riverbank villages are also under constant surveillance, and emergency control rooms have been set up to manage relief.
The authorities, over the weekend, opened the floodgates of the Bhakra and Pong dams to release mounting pressure, with huge volumes of water flowing into the downstream rivers. The crops and part of the resident settlements in Kapurthala, Fazilka, and Ferozepur have been inundated. This has led to loss of crops as well as displacement of families. The displaced families are being settled in relief camps, where accommodation, food, clean drinking water, and medical care have been organized.
State Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal directed district administrations to have 24/7 surveillance systems and curative actions to safeguard individuals, especially those living in Flood prone zones and low-lying zones. Medical aid is also on standby with Medical teams, ambulances, and rapid response teams placed on duty to handle emergencies.
The Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted regular heavy rain for today and tomorrow, authorities warn the flood threat may strike again. Advisories issued to be careful, and stay away from swollen rivers, and clear guidelines from local authorities.
Punjab is under heavy rain alert especially in the districts of Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Fazilka, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur, Pathankot, Amritsar, Rupnagar, Ludhiana and Jalandhar.
