With more rain alerts, schools, colleges closed till Aug 30 in Amritsar district

In view of continuous rainfall in the district, Additional District Magistrate-cum-Additional Deputy Commissioner Rohit Gupta has issued orders to close all educational institutions, schools, colleges, etc, in the district till August 30.

Giving details of the situation, Additional Deputy Commissioner Rohit Gupta said due to the possibility of an increase in the water level of the Ravi river during the next 12 hours, 14 villages of Ajnala constituency have been put on high alert as a precaution. He said the situation in the Beas river is stable at present, but continuous monitoring is being done.

He said the district administration is monitoring the situation arising due to rains across the district. All the teams are working tirelessly and 24-hour readiness is being maintained in view of the 48-hour weather warning. The district administration has also issued a helpline number to address the anxious queries of citizens, especially from rural areas.

Gupta said for any query or to report information related to the flood, phone number 0183-2229125, which is the number of the flood control room, can be contacted. He asked the district residents not to believe in rumours and to remain alert.

Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney said at present the situation in the district is completely under control and teams under the leadership of SDMs are monitoring the situation day and night. The control room of Ajnala tehsil is on 01858-221102 and the control room of Baba Bakala Sahib tehsil is on 01853-245510 to get help in any kind of situation.

Rohit Gupta said the SDMs of Baba Bakala Sahib and Ajnala, two tehsils of the district bordering the rivers, have reached the spot and are working to monitor the dhussi bundh. SDM, Ajnala, Ravinder Singh said there is no threat to the dhussi bundh in Ajnala constituency at present. “But we are requesting the people living in low-lying areas to shift to higher places because if any problem arises at night, there is no loss of life and property.”

After taking stock of the situation, SDM, Baba Bakala, Amanpreet Singh said at present, the water level in the Beas has not reached the danger mark and we are closely monitoring the situation.

The announcement comes after heavy rain lashed the district with the Meteorological Department issuing a warning for more downpour on Tuesday and following days. DEO Kanwaljeet Singh said as a precautionary measure, it has been decided to close all the schools in the district on August 27.

“Only exemptions have been made for the schools or institutions where exams have been scheduled for the day. The orders have been taken keeping in mind the safety of students as heavy and continuous rain has led to increased water-logging and a flood-like situation,” said DEO Kanwaljeet Singh. He has also issued a cautionary letter to all government school heads to ensure the safety of students in school buildings.