One month on, Muktsar village still swamped

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Udekaran (Muktsar), August 20

Over a month after the rain, which brought miseries to residents of Udekaran village on the outskirts of Muktsar town, nearly 45 families are yet to return to their houses. The rainwater drained out yesterday from their houses, but the buildings are in such a deplorable state that these may collapse anytime.

Rani, a resident of Manga Basti where she has a two-room kutcha house, said: “We are now living in a rented house in Muktsar and paying Rs 2,500 per month. My house was flooded with rainwater, which has now drained out after a month but the building is about to collapse. However, no officer or politician has come here to know about our wellbeing. Without any government aid, how will I rebuild my house?” she said.

A major chunk of agricultural land is still inundated and emanating foul smell due to the stagnant water. 

Balraj Singh, an elderly resident of the village, said: “In 2013, the village was badly affected during monsoon but floodwater was drained out in just 15 days. However, this time even after a month the situation has not improved much. Water from nearby villages is still entering our village.”

District Revenue Officer Avtar Singh said: “Water has been drained out from all villages except Udekaran. The teams are on the job.”