Bansri Shah, Pune
Low-lying villages in the Hoshiarpur and Kapurthala districts in Punjab were inundated on Wednesday after the release of excessive water from the Pong and Bhakra Dams, forcing the immediate rescue and evacuation of over 2,700 residents. According to Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) Secretary Satish Singla, excess water was released into the dams following the heavy rains and significant inflow into the Beas and Sutlaj Rivers.
Teams from the Indian Army, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) worked ceaselessly to help evacuate residents of flooded areas to safer locations. Villages, namely Haled, Motla, Bela Sariyana, and Koliyan in Mukerian, Poshi Bet, Rampur, and others in Tanda, were submerged four to five feet under water due to the downpour and water release. Water had entered the houses as well as the farmlands, fields, and roads, making the situation extremely dire for people. The flooding has been extremely harsh for the standing crops in Punjab since this has been the second inundation in under a month.
Rescue efforts are underway and are being personally overseen by Hoshiarpur Deputy Commissioner, Komal Mittal and Disaster Management Minister Bram Shanker Jimpa. Warnings have been issued, with residents of the nearby low-lying areas being advised to move to safer areas, away from the river banks. The Drainage Department has been directed to keep a close eye on embankments in areas that are susceptible to flooding and ensure quick repairs if needed. Emphasizing the significance of averting waterborne illnesses in the wet season, Mittal emphasized the continuous endeavors of the Health and Animal Husbandry Departments in disaster relief activities, which encompass the handling of livestock food as well.
The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has announced that the dam gates will have a controlled release of water for the next four to five days to ensure that the water levels in the reservoirs are kept at a safe level. 80,000 cusecs of water are released from Bhakra and 1,00,000 cusecs from Pong every day.
Bhagwat Mann, Chief Minister of Punjab, said, “Though the situation is under control, priority is still being given to rescue and relief work in the worst affected areas. I am personally monitoring the situation.”