Surplus water from canals diverted

Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh/ Payal/ Raikot, August 19

As the Canal Department and the Drainage Department have started diverting surplus water from canals into drains and tributaries, the administration in the region is keeping a close watch on the situation.

Besides taking proactive measures to handle any adverse situation, the administration and the police have launched a coordinated movement to spread awareness about the need of preparedness to tackle any flood-like situation in the region.

Ahmedgarh SDM Vikramjeet Singh Panthey, Payal SDM Swati Tiwana and Raikot SDM Dr Himanshu Gupta have been keeping a close watch on the flow of water in canals and drains passing through areas of their respective jurisdiction. Rank and file in the administration have been advised to respond promptly to any report regarding the overflow of water bodies, including canals, rivers, drains, brooks, village ponds etc.

Subeg Singh, Surjit Singh Dhanoya and Gurmit Singh Tejey, DSPs at Ahmedgarh, Payal and Raikot, respectively, have advised the SHOs and beat officers of their circles to rope in office-bearers and activists of various social and religious organisations for seeking help from residents in case of need.

“We have constituted a special team of cops who have been maintaining direct contact with activists of various organisations of their areas of deployment,” said Gurmit Singh Tejey, maintaining that all residents were being given tips on handling of situation arising due to overflowing water bodies.

Reportedly, some of the drains and tributaries which usually remained dry had started swelling due to incessant rainfall and release of canal water. Rachhin drain in Raikot subdivision and Lasara drain passing through villages falling under Payal segment and Sadar Ahmedgarh Police Station area had started overflowing. Saraud, Ranwan, Badshapur (Mandiala), Bhurthala Mander, Moranwali and Lasoi villages were among localities where water had started entering in low-lying fields.

Acknowledging that some fields at Dhurkot village in Raikot Block were affected due to release of water in Rachhin drain early in the morning, Block Development Project Officer Navneet Joshi said officials concerned in the Canal Department and the Drainage Department had been advised to keep a check on the overflowing drains in the region.