Punjab Rain Fury: Ghaggar and Satluj rivers overflow, flood threat looms, NDRF deployed
Low-lying areas near Satluj river and its tributaries in Ropar and Anandpur Sahib submerged by floods
Chandigarh, July 09: Incessant rainfall has caused the Ghaggar river in Punjab to overflow, with water levels reaching 2.5 feet above the danger mark. As a precautionary measure, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been deployed in Tiwana village of Mohali.
The Chief Engineer of Irrigation, H.S. Mehndiratta, stated that the situation is being closely monitored as the water from the Ghaggar river is expected to flow downstream towards Patiala and Sangrur.
Preventive evacuation orders have been issued in Patiala, particularly in areas adjacent to Badi Nadi. The Ghaggar river passes through Samana, Devigarh, Sanaur, and Ghanaur towns in the Patiala district. In Dera Bassi, the overflowing Ghaggar river has reportedly flooded fields and large portions of land.
Kharar has also witnessed house damage due to heavy rainfall, while the fencing on the International Border in Mandot area, Ferozepur, has been affected.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has already issued a warning of heavy downpours in several districts including Patiala, Sangrur, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, Ludhiana, Mansa, and Muktsar. Authorities are on high alert in response to the forecasted rainfall.
Although there have been no reports of untoward incidents so far, many low-lying areas in these cities are already inundated. Minor breaches in water channels have been reported in Ferozepur. The authorities are closely monitoring the water flow in the Satluj river, which is currently at 1,00,000 cusecs compared to the normal flow of 12,000 cusecs. Consequently, villages along the river and its tributaries in Ropar and Anandpur Sahib, such as Kahanpur Khoohi, are experiencing flooding.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has instructed all MLAs to remain in their constituencies and assist in relief operations. People have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel until the situation stabilizes.
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