A devastating incident unfolded in Hoshiarpur on Sunday when heavy rains caused the Jaijon Choe rivulet to overflow, sweeping away a vehicle and claiming nine lives. The tragedy struck when a family of 11, traveling from Dehra in Himachal Pradesh's Una district to Mehrowal village in Punjab for a wedding, encountered the perilous conditions of the swollen rivulet.

The SUV, carrying the family and their driver, attempted to cross the Jaijon Choe despite warnings from local residents about the dangerous water levels and strong currents. Eyewitnesses reported that the locals urged the driver to avoid crossing, but their warnings were ignored. As the vehicle entered the fast-moving waters, it was quickly overwhelmed and carried approximately 200 meters downstream.

Local rescue efforts managed to save one occupant, Deepak Bhatia, who was taken to the Government Dispensary in Jaijon for medical treatment. However, the floodwaters claimed the lives of nine individuals, including Surjit Bhatia, his wife Paramjit Kaur, his brother Saroop Chand, sister-in-law Binder, Shinno, and her daughters Bhavna and Anu, along with the driver, Bindu.

Hoshiarpur Deputy Commissioner Komal Mittal reported that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been deployed to assist in the ongoing rescue and search operations for the two missing persons. Senior Superintendent of Police Surendra Lamba confirmed that the bodies of the deceased have been recovered, and efforts are underway to locate the remaining individuals. “Nine bodies, including those of five females, have been recovered from the rivulet. Efforts were on to trace the two missing persons,” he said.

The family members of the deceased have told the police that there were twelve people in the sports utility vehicle (SUV).

There were about five vehicles and an earth moving machine on the other side of the Jaijon Choe towards Himachal Pradesh, waiting for the water to subside. The occupants of these vehicles asked the driver to stop, but the driver proceeded, leading to the tragic incident, Lamba said.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Jagir Singh stated that the vehicle was swept away by the strong water current for approximately 200 meters downstream.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed profound grief over the tragic event. He announced a financial aid of Rs four lakh to the families of the deceased and directed the administration to accelerate relief measures. The Chief Minister extended his condolences to the affected families and emphasized the need for enhanced safety measures and disaster preparedness.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also conveyed his heartfelt condolences and assured that the State Government would provide full support to the bereaved families. He commended the efforts of the local authorities and rescue teams who have been working under challenging conditions to assist those affected by the disaster.

“The State Government stands in solidarity with the affected families during this time of distress. I assure that all possible assistance will be provided to them by the State Government and District Administration of Una has been directed in this regard,” he said.

Vote for AAP to build new Hry: Sunita Kejriwal

Hisar: Accusing the BJP Government in Haryana of "not undertaking any development work" in the last 10 years, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal on Sunday appealed to the people to vote for AAP in the upcoming State assembly polls to build a "new Haryana". Addressing the party rally at Hisar, she asked the people to press the button with the 'jhadu' (AAP's poll symbol) on election day to build a "new Haryana" while asserting that the AAP government in Delhi has "transformed" government schools and hospitals and made electricity free. Calling Arvind Kejriwal "Haryana ka laal", she said the Delhi Chief Minister was raised in Hisar. Assembly polls in Haryana are due later this year and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has announced that it will contest all the 90 seats in the state. The party has contested several polls in Haryana, but it has yet to taste electoral success in the state.