Admn alert, no need to panic: Ludhiana DC

Shivani Bhakoo

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 18

Following heavy rainfall in this part of the region in the past 36 hours, excessive water has been released in the Sutlej from Ropar, thus putting the district at a risk of floods.

The district administration, officials of Irrigation and various other departments are on their toes and are closely monitoring the situation.

The officials are claiming that the situation is under control, but the residents are a worried lot.

Dildar Singh of Khera Bet village said he had witnessed floods in his village a few years ago. “It was horrible. The situation can get worse this time too. Just sand bags or huge stones won’t be able to stop the forceful flow of water,” he added.

Harjot Singh, XEN, Drainage Department said: “Villages have been put on high alert. Just because Himachal Pradesh witnessed heavy rainfall this season, water in such a huge quantity has been released in the Sutlej. The situation is tense but under control. Teams are working round the clock to make sure that there is no breach and excess water passes through the district without causing any harm.”

Meanwhile, DC Pradeep Agrawal, however, said there were nine vulnerable points in Ludhiana district from where the Sutlej passes in a zig-zag manner. “The teams are alert and all necessary arrangements are in place for any emergency. We have also alerted all departments concerned. But there is no need to panic as the Sutlej is moving towards Ferozepur.”