In view of heavy rains lashing this part of the region, especially Punjab, the State Government has sounded alert in the districts along Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers.
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Sunday asked the state Irrigation Department to gear up its activities in tandem with the local administration of all the districts. Due to heavy rains in various parts of the state this week, especially in Amritsar and Gurdaspur, there has been huge inflow of water in reservoirs of Pong, Bhakhra and Ranjit Sagar Dams besides several other parts across the state, said an official spokesperson.
He said that Badal has directed the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of the districts along river Satluj, Ravi and Beas to be extra vigilant round-the-clock to prevent any loss of human life and cattle besides damage to the property. The Chief Minister has also asked the district administrative heads to keep special medical and veterinary teams with abundant supply of medicine in position so that they could be pressed into service instantly in the water logged areas.
The spokesperson said that people in Ghaniye Ki Bet across Ravi river had been evacuated by administration to safer places on Saturday evening. “Sufficient boats and other logistics are available with the district administration to cope up with any emergent situation arising out of incessant rain in the region,” he added. Some portion of the advance bundh at Shahpur village on river Ravi in Ajnala Sub-Division of Amritsar district, that was damaged, has been effectively plugged by the district administration and Irrigation Department, he said.
A joint operation by the district administration, Army personnel, Border Security Force (BSF), Punjab Police and Irrigation Department was in full swing to strengthen the embankment of advance bundh. Badal has also deputed the Principal Secretary Irrigation along with Chief Engineer Canals and Drainage to tour the vulnerable areas for monitoring the situation. The Commissioner of Jalandhar and Ferozepur Divisions has also been directed to tour the areas for further intensifying the efforts of the district administration.
“A close liaison is being maintained by the Chief Minister’s Office and Irrigation Department with the authorities of Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) so that release of water in Satluj, Ravi and Beas could be monitored,” added the spokesperson. The flow of water in river Ravi which was 4.90 lakh cusecs on the evening of August 16 has now receded to 3.15 lakh cusecs. Sufficient funds had already been placed at the disposal of DCs to handle the situation efficaciously,” the spokesperson added.