Punjab is also facing a worst-ever flood calamity in seven districts, i.e., Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Fazilka, Sultanpur Lodhi of Kapurthala, and Hoshiarpur. More than 250 villages of these districts were inundated, with the water level ranging from 5 to 15 feet, cutting off most of the residents marooned on rooftops along with their belongings.
The flood condition was aggravated by excessive rainfalls especially in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu regions. This increase in water level overflooded dams which resulted in floodgates opening at big water reservoirs such as Chandigarh's Sukhna Lake and the Bhakra Dam. The increase in water levels in the Ghaggar, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers, has also threatened flooding downstream in low-lying Punjab villages.
Steps by State government
The Chief Minister of Punjab, Sardar Bhagwant Singh Mann, has proactively assumed the flood situation by calling meetings with irrigation, disaster management, police, and military officials to coordinate rescue efforts and discuss public safety.
State government helicopter is deployed for the rescue efforts for the purpose of flood relief to the citizens marooned in flooded areas.
The rescue efforts operate at state levels in supplying the provision of needed goods like ration, water, and medical care to the population.
In addition, CM Mann has promised full compensation to affected residents for those who had lost life and livelihood. Assessment teams are established to conduct the assessment of damage incurred in a fair way.
Rescue operation is underway at full capacity with the assistance of Indian Army, NDRF, Border Security Force, and the disaster response teams of the states. Indian Army is conducting dashing helicopter rescues, evacuating stranded villagers from flooded regions, including difficult evacuations by Chinook and Cheetah helicopters.
Water in the Sukhna Lake was increased because of excess inflow, leading to floodgates being opened on Friday morning in order to get rid of excess water into the Ghaggar, impacting downstream areas such as Derabassi, Patiala, and Sangrur. Concurrently, four gates of the Bhakra Dam were opened to let out water into the Sutlej river, enhancing flood risks in districts like Ropar, Nawanshahr, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Ferozepur, Tarn Taran, and Fazilka, as they are along or downstream of the Sutlej river and canals.
Following the non-stop days of flood havoc rescue operations are underway in Punjab and the neighboring states during the non-stop floods. Due to the non-stop release of water from the dams of Punjab, 7 districts are marred with floods. Flood gates of Pong Dam were opened on Thursday at 2.30 pm.
Water of Pong Dam had crossed the danger mark of 1390 feet to 1396 feet, and state government was taking substantial preventive steps.
Punjab Government has already shifted more than 6,600 persons and settled them in 88 relief camps opened in various districts.
Deputy Commissioner Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal and Deepak Bali, Adviser to Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department, on a visit to the control room, said that on the instructions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, everything is being done for early rescue operations and provision of food, medicines, and vital relief materials.
Amritsar was affected by a severe flood crisis after the Dhusi embankment breach on August 27, which opened gushing floodwaters into nearby residential neighborhoods. Entire villages were submerged, leading to large-scale evacuations.
According to official statistics, 835 villages in the state have been affected by floods and 202 of these are in Gurdaspur, 93 in Ferozepur, 107 in Kapurthala, 85 in Hoshiarpur, 81 in Pathankot, and a few more spread across Amritsar, Bathinda, Tarn Taran, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Fazilka and others.
On the rescue front, 2,200 people were rescued from Gurdaspur, 2,007 from Ferozepur, 1,100 from Pathankot, 1,052 from Hoshiarpur, 220 from Kapurthala and 20 from Moga.
Authorities have made sure that an adequate stock of food and drugs is available in relief centers and asked people to take advantage of the helpline for timely help.
According to reports, 3 deaths have been reported so far in Punjab Flood. 2 individuals passed away in Madhopur and another in Gurdaspur after being washed away in the flood. 3 members of a family have gone missing in Pathankot. A body of a girl child has been recovered there.
The worst affected is in Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Ferozepur and Fazilka. More than 150 villages here have been flooded. Water is 5 to 7 feet high everywhere.
More than 2000 people were rescued and relocated to relief camps in Ferozepur. Army, NDRF, Police and others are making relief and rescue efforts. Land and water vehicles have been put into action in flood-affected areas.
The number of flood affected villages in Ajnala, Amritsar has increased to 25 from 15. The rescue operation is in progress here. A few villages in Amritsar were evacuated due to the continuous rise in the level of Ravi water.
Punjab Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rain on August 30, and yellow alert for August 31 and September 1, suggesting continuous bad weather that can further worsen the flood situation. Amidst continuous rains, an accident was witnessed in Barnala's Gurunanakpura area where a house roof collapsed killing one and leaving one injured.
Punjab's flood disaster features large-scale submergence of villages, Army and disaster relief forces' dangerous rescues, government guarantee of relief and compensation, and ongoing monitoring of river water releases from major dams. The disaster persists with a looming threat of further flooding due to ongoing heavy rainfall and water releases in the coming days.
