Tarn Taran: Crops on 12,000 acres submerge as Beas swells

Standing crops on around 12,000 acres were inundated here as the Beas river swelled following heavy rainfall in its catchment area in the past five days.At least 25 villages have been hit by flooding, with farmers fearing permanent damage to their crops.The worst-hit villages included Verowal, Bodal Kiri, Kiri Shahi, Hansawala, Akabarpura, Dhunda, Goindwal Sahib, Dhunn Dhai Wala, Jauhal Dhai Wala, Bhail Dhai Wala, Mundapind, Gharka, Karmunwala , Chamba Kalan, Gujjarpura and Harike.

However, SDO (Irrigation) Navneet Singh said the situation was under control as the water carrying capacity of the river was close to 50,000 cusecs and currently it was flowing below that.

Dara Singh, a farmer of Mundapind, and Baldev Singh of Dhunda alleged that the water level had been increasing in the Beas since Saturday but the administration did not inform them.

The farmers said their standing crops submerged in water, leaving little hope of their survival. The farmers said they were now facing an acute shortage of fodder for the cattle after their stocks were washed away in flood waters.

Deputy Commissioner Rahul did not respond to the allegation when asked for comment on the issue.

CPI leader Prithipal Singh Marimegha, Punjab Istri Sabha leader Rupindert Kaur Sandhu alleged that officials were yet to visit the affected areas.