With the Meteorological Department issuing an alert for heavy rainfall in Punjab over the next three days — October 5, 6, and 7 — the Jalandhar district administration has gone into high alert mode. Deputy Commissioner Dr Himanshu Agarwal on Saturday evening directed all departments to remain fully prepared to tackle any rain-related emergencies and ensure public safety across the district.
Dr. Agarwal has instructed that all officers’ leaves stand cancelled until further notice, adding that every official must remain present at their respective headquarters and be ready to respond immediately in case of any situation. He also emphasized that no lapses in coordination or preparedness would be tolerated, given the intensity of the rainfall forecast.
Deputy Commissioner issued clear directives to the officials of Municipal Corporation, Drainage Department, PSPCL, Police and other departments to strengthen ground-level arrangements. The Municipal Corporation Jalandhar has been asked to deploy teams in vulnerable and low-lying areas to ensure smooth drainage of rainwater and prevent waterlogging in the city. All stormwater drains and sewer lines are to be cleared in advance to avoid choking during heavy downpour.
Recognizing that power failures during heavy rain can hamper relief work, the Deputy Commissioner directed that uninterrupted power supply and backup systems at sewage treatment plants (STPs) and pumping stations be made mandatory. This is to ensure the continuous functioning of drainage systems during rainfall. The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has also been directed to ensure round-the-clock monitoring of electricity infrastructure and provide immediate restoration services in case of faults.
For rural areas, the Drainage Department has been told to closely monitor the condition of embankments. Necessary safety arrangements and equipment are to be kept ready to prevent any breaches or overflow situations. Meanwhile, Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) have been instructed to stay alert in areas close to the Sutlej river and other vulnerable zones. Dr. Agarwal directed SDMs to prepare evacuation plans and identify safe shelters where people can be shifted in case of rising water levels.
“The Punjab Government is fully committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of citizens,” said Dr. Agarwal. “The district administration is taking every precautionary step to minimize public inconvenience and deal with any emergency effectively. All departments have been put on alert, and control rooms will function round-the-clock to monitor the situation.”
Residents have been urged to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rain. The Deputy Commissioner appealed to the public to promptly share any information about waterlogging, flooding, or other emergencies with the district control room at 0181-2240064 or via WhatsApp at 9646-222-555.
He further advised that field teams from the administration, police, and civic departments will remain deployed throughout the weekend to ensure timely assistance and prevent any major disruption.
