Badal spotted watching movie as state reels under heavy floods

Jalandhar/Akbarwala/Chandigarh/New Delhi, Aug 18 : Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal was spotted watching the Bollywood movie 'Singh is Kinng' even as the state reels under heavy floods.

"I have not seen a movie for the past 10-15 years. I first thought of watching the movie on video. I have come here to watch the movie," Badal said.

Critics have come down heavily on Badal for being busy watching the movie at a time when life has come to a standstill in the state.

Flood situation continued to remain grim in Punjab with more than 40 villages submerged.

The dam on the Satluj river has developed three cracks posing further risk.

Army men have been deployed to provide relief to the affected people.

At Akbarwala village in Ferozepur district, residents tried to salvage their valuables to the terrace of their marooned houses.

"Despite the floods, the government has not provided us with any help. Our houses are submerged in water. We have packed our stuff and are ready to leave. The government should do something for us," said Balwant Singh, a resident.

In Chandigarh, a person got trapped in the surge of floodwater.

"All of a sudden, our motorcycle got stuck. My aunt's son got drowned. I came out," said Sushil, an eyewitness.

In New Delhi, Yamuna river flowed above the danger mark after a gap of five years, touching 205.55 meters.

This is about 1.5 meters above the red mark. The water level in the Yamuna is rising as Haryana is releasing 25,000 cusecs of water everyday.

Weather office has forecast more rains for Monday.

ANI