Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh have been witnessing heavy rainfall for the past at least 2 days. IMD Chandigarh on Monday put multiple districts of Punjab on red alert for thunderstorms along with heavy rainfall. Many other districts were also put on orange and yellow alert.
Notably, due to heavy rains in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, 7 districts of Punjab have been hit by floods. Water is being released continuously due to rising water level of Ranjit Sagar Dam and Bhakra Dam. Due to this, the water level of Ravi, Sutlej and Beas rivers is increasing.
In the meanwhile, the Chakki railway bridge has been shut down due to soil collapse. It means Pathankot-Jalandhar railway route has been shut down. As per reports, at least 90 trains running on the route has been disrupted.
Some trains are being rerouted via the Pathankot–Amritsar–Jalandhar corridor.
In view of the flood situation, schools in Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Pathankot and Gurdaspur districts as well as Ajnala and Raiya blocks of Amritsar have been closed today.
Schools in 20 flood-affected villages of Fazilka are closed till further orders. Flood-like conditions prevail in Tarn Taran and Ferozepur areas due to water released from Harike Head Works.
Cracks have appeared in the flood protection bundh at Ahli Kalan village, raising serious concerns among local farmers and residents. With the Beas River’s water level rising rapidly, fear of a possible breach is growing by the hour.