More villages come in grip of floods in Amritsar

With more water flowing in the Ravi river, which is already in spate, and heavy rain showing no sign of stopping, several villages near Ajnala are now under a serious threat. Residents are making desperate efforts to protect their homes and fields from being swallowed by the rising water.

On Friday night, floodwaters had already reached the outskirts of Ajnala town. By Saturday morning, it had begun flowing towards Bhindi village along the Sakki Nullah. Villagers across the belt have started preparing themselves for any eventuality.

Many families have shifted to the rooftop of their homes, carrying whatever essentials they could save. Near the Sakki Nullah, residents were seen filling sandbags in the hope of stopping water from entering their houses.

People are not only worried about the floods, but also about the bad days they would face if their crops and homes get damaged by it. “We have seen the floods of 1988, 1993 and then in 1995. Back then, people had less belongings and simple houses. Now as people have become more prosperous, they shudder to think of the losses they have to bear,” said Sarwan Singh, a resident.

As the water level continues to rise, fields lie submerged and shelters stand abandoned. On the Ajnala-Chogawan road, a Gujjar family was seen putting together a makeshift shelter to spend the night.

Amid the grim situation, the only solace for residents is the sight of a serpentine queue of trolleys and trucks, laden with relief material, entering the devastated township. People from far-off areas have started reaching with rations, medicines and drinking water.

The administration too has pressed into service 30 boats in those areas, which have been cut off from road routes, to rescue stranded people and distribute relief material to them. Officials of the administration stated that tarpaulin sheets are also being provided to residents who have taken shelter on the roofs of their houses. The administration officials stated that at least 1,700 people have been rescued and shifted to safer places.