Sutlej breaches, many villages flooded in Lohian area

Jalandhar, Aug 16 (UNI) The army was called out in Lohian area under the Shahkot tehsil of the district following a breach in the 'bundh' (protective wall) on the right bank of the Sutlej river.

According to official reports reaching here the breach occured at around midnight near Gidderpindi village. As many as six to seven villages including Gidderpindi, Manak and Dholla were in ten to fifteen feet of water.

The breach is stated to be around 150 feet wide. Official sources said that so far the army with the help of motorboats had succeeded in pulling out 20-odd families from the flood effected villages.

A number of small hamlets and farmhouses have also been submerged by the waters of the Sutlej. The crops in the effected village have been virtually destroyed.

Official sources said that as soon as the water started entering the villages, people moved to the roof tops. A few families even moved their cows and buffalos to safer places. So far no loss of life has been reported.

The rescue operations to pull out the families is being hampered as a number of residents do not want to leave their homes and they have taken shelter on the top of their houses. Rescue operations have also been launched from the left bank of the Sutlej, which flows along the Jalandhar-Ferozpur district border.

UNI XC-HS DB 1353