Punjab Faces Worst Floods Since 1988; Over 1,000 Villages Affected

Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu) – So far, 1,018 villages across Punjab have been affected due to floods caused by heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. These include 81 villages in Pathankot, 52 in Fazilka, 45 in Tarn Taran, 64 in Sri Muktsar Sahib, 22 in Sangrur, 101 in Ferozepur, 107 in Kapurthala, 323 in Gurdaspur, 85 in Hoshiarpur and 35 in Moga. The state has also suffered huge financial losses due to loss of crops and livestock. According to reports received from district headquarters, 16,632 hectares (41,099 acres) of land has been affected in Fazilka, 10,806 hectares in Ferozepur, 11,620 hectares in Kapurthala, 7,000 hectares in Pathankot, 9,928 hectares in Tarn Taran and 5,287 hectares in Hoshiarpur. With the prompt and proactive response of the Punjab government, 4,711 flood-affected people were evacuated to safer places in the state during the last 24 hours. These include 812 residents of Ferozepur, 2,571 from Gurdaspur, four from Moga, 60 from Tarn Taran, 25 from Barnala and 1,239 from Fazilka.

According to reports received from various districts, a total of 11,330 people have been rescued so far from nine flood-affected districts. These include 2,819 from Ferozepur, 1,052 from Hoshiarpur, 240 from Kapurthala, 4,771 from Gurdaspur, 24 from Moga, 1,100 from Pathankot, 60 from Tarn Taran, 25 from Barnala and 1,239 from Fazilka. Out of the 87 relief camps set up in the flood-affected areas, 77 are currently fully functional, with 4,729 people taking shelter. The number of districts hit by floods in Punjab has increased to 8. Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, Ferozepur and Fazilka have been the worst affected so far. Now the impact of water has started showing in Patiala and Mansa as well. Due to the overflow of Ghaggar river, the fields of many villages have been submerged, while the water level in Sutlej and Ravi is constantly rising. There has been a bigger flood in Punjab since 1988. 1000 villages have been affected. Due to heavy rains in the neighboring hill states (Himachal Pradesh and Jammu), all the water has collected in Punjab. According to government data, in 1988, 11 lakh 20 thousand cusecs of water had come to the state, this time till now 14 lakh 11 thousand cusecs of water has come. Kapurthala has 110 people staying in four camps, Ferozepur has 3,450 people staying in eight camps, Hoshiarpur has 478 people staying in 20 camps, Gurdaspur has 255 people staying in 12 active camps, Pathankot has 411 people staying in 14 camps, Barnala has 25 people staying in one camp and Fazilka has 11, Moga has five and Amritsar has two camps.

A government spokesperson said that relief material was distributed in Kapurthala on August 15, 27, 28 and 29 and distribution will continue as per requirement. Similarly, regular relief material is being provided in Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Moga, Pathankot, Fazilka and Barnala.

NDRF, SDRF, Punjab Police and Army are playing a vital role in these operations with active support from local communities. Seven NDRF teams are deployed in Gurdaspur, one each in Fazilka and Ferozepur and two in Pathankot. SDRF has deployed two teams in Kapurthala. Army, BSF and Air Force are also engaged in operations in Kapurthala, Gurdaspur, Ferozepur and Pathankot. Along with the civil administration, Punjab Police is also extending full support to the affected people.