Punjab Floods: Rescue Operations Intensified as Several Districts Remain Affected

Severe flooding continues to impact several districts in Punjab, prompting intensified rescue operations. Key areas affected include Pathankot and Gurdaspur, with officials evacuating stranded individuals and delivering relief supplies.

Punjab is grappling with severe floods, affecting numerous villages across several districts. State and central agencies have ramped up rescue and relief efforts. The most impacted areas include Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur, and Amritsar. Many residents have been evacuated to safer locations, officials reported.

In Gurdaspur's Daburi area, 381 students and 70 teachers were rescued from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya after being stranded due to flooding. The school principal faced criticism for not sending students home despite a declared holiday. Boats were used to evacuate those trapped as water levels rose to 4-5 feet within the campus.

Flood Relief Operations Intensify

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann visited flood-affected areas in Gurdaspur to assess the situation. He instructed the district administration to use the state helicopter for delivering relief supplies. The Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers overflowed due to heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, submerging farmlands and villages along their banks.

The Indian Air Force airlifted 60 irrigation officials in Pathankot to open the Madhopur barrage gates. However, one officer remains missing. Two gates of the Madhopur Headworks on the Ravi river were damaged. The water flow through these headworks decreased from 200,000 cusecs on Tuesday to 62,000 cusecs.

Efforts by Various Agencies

The situation remains dire in many areas as district administrations continue rescue operations with help from the NDRF, Army, and state agencies. In Pathankot, the Indian Army Aviation conducted a risky helicopter rescue mission. They evacuated civilians and CRPF personnel from a building surrounded by floodwaters that collapsed soon after.

In Ferozepur district, over 2,000 people were rescued from affected villages within 48 hours. Villages like Kaluwala and Tendi Wala were severely impacted by rising Sutlej waters. Residents had to leave their homes and livestock behind as water levels surged.

Government's Response

The Punjab government has mobilized its entire cabinet to oversee relief operations in affected districts. CM Mann instructed ministers to remain on-site until the situation stabilizes. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema emphasized that saving lives and protecting property are top priorities.

Deputy Commissioner Deepshikha Sharma stated that 12 relief camps have been set up in Ferozepur at locations including Bagge Wala and Bare Ke. These camps aim to provide shelter and essential supplies to displaced residents.

In Amritsar's Ajnala area, Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sahwney led relief efforts after an embankment breach caused by rising Ravi river waters flooded 20 villages. She urged residents in flood-hit areas to relocate to safer places as NDRF teams conducted rescue operations.

The Pong dam's water level reached 1,393.68 feet on Wednesday, exceeding its upper limit of 1,390 feet. The Bhakra dam's water level was recorded at 1,671.90 feet, nine feet below the danger mark. Water inflow at Bhakra was 59,442 cusecs with an outflow of 43,882 cusecs.

With inputs from PTI