While the people of Punjab were still recovering from the devastating flood that took place last month, the state is yet again inundated with water. As per reports, at least 8 districts of the state are currently facing Punjab floods and multiple villages have submerged into the water. The latest Punjab flood is the result of the release of excess water from the Pong and the Bhakra dams. While the team of NDRF has joined their hands with the Indian Army to rescue people from the flood-affected area, it seems like the situation is about to worsen. As per reports, Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has decided to keep its floodgates open for the next four days so that the water level which is approaching the danger mark can be reduced slightly. As a result, the increased water level of the Sutlej river has shown its effect in Rupnagar. On the other hand, after Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, and Kapurthala, the water released from Pong Dam also started affecting Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Ferozepur.
It is pertinent to mention here that Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday assured the people of the state that he was on top of the flood situation and will leave no stone unturned to send relief and compensation to those affected. On Wednesday, Mann took to his X handle and stated that the flood situation in Punjab is totally under control and he is in touch with the authorities of Himachal Pradesh and BBMB. "..I and my officers are in touch with the Himachal government and BBMB all the time..Pong and Ranjit Sagar Dam are under control..it is our duty to protect people’s life and property. There is a natural calamity. let’s all face it together…people’s government with people..,” he said in the post.
Notably, due to the water released from the Pong Dam, the houses of Sherobaga village of Amritsar came under the grip of water. After which the work of rescuing people started in the evening on Wednesday. NDRF teams took charge during this period and rescued 26 people and 30 pets. Meanwhile, Sri Guru Granth Sahib kept in the Gurughar of the village has also been taken to a safe place with respect.
Apart from this, the Beas river in Amritsar has touched the danger mark of 744 gauge, while the water flow in the Beas River is being estimated at 1.40 lakh cusecs. Beyond Amritsar, the effect of Beas has also started appearing in Tarn Taran and Ferozepur. Dhussi dam has breached in village Dhunda in Tarn Taran. Due to this 15 thousand acres of land have been submerged in water.
Dhussi dams were broken at many places in Rupnagar after Bhakra dam released water into Sutlej. Efforts are on to bring the situation under control after the dam breach in village Burj.
What did the authorities say on latest Punjab floods?
Also Read: Situation Fully Under Control in State in Wake of Floods : Asserts CM
Deputy Commissioner, Gurdaspur Dr Himanshu Aggarwal was quoted by a newswire on the flood-like situation in the area. He said "More than 100 people have been rescued till now with the help of NDRF, SDRF and Army. All arrangements have been made for the rescued people. Rescue work is underway in the area."
Flood in Hoshiarpur District Punjab. Water released from pong dam Talwara. pic.twitter.com/v9jIwSczMm
— Robin Bhakhan (ਭਾਖਨ/भाखन) (@bhakhan) August 15, 2023
Punjab Flood: the residents of Talwandi Kuka village, which has been hit by floods, in district Kapurthala, are being rescued by the teams of district administration, Kapurthala @iepunjab pic.twitter.com/bIQYQp27Cz
— Anju Agnihotri (@Anjuagnihotri1) August 16, 2023