Threat looms over 85 Jalandhar villages

Aparna Banerji

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, August 17

With 40,000 cusecs of water released from the Bhakra Dam on Friday, a high alert has been sounded in 85 villages of the district by the banks of the Sutlej in view of the simultaneous constant rains. The Nakodar, Shahkot and Phillaur divisions have also been put on alert.

The administration has cancelled leaves of all district officials and boats, gumboots, supplies and tents have been arranged as a precautionary measure. While the administration on Friday released intimation on water release from the Bhakra Dam, it also emphasised that evacuation of some persons and animals would also be necessary if the need arose. However, the administration maintains that the intimation is just to keep the population updated. The Deputy Commissioner said since the 40,000 cusecs of water was way below the floodwater level of 1 lakh cusecs, there was no imminent threat of flooding.

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Meanwhile, over a dozen officials of the Drainage Department are also monitoring water levels and any erosion by the river banks.

While, a 60-km stretch of the Sutlej passes by villages in Jalandhar, at Kapurthala too, 60-km stretch of the Beas flows through various areas. Officials of the Drainage Department said bundhs and berms had already been made on the rivers as flood protection measures and a watch was also being kept across vulnerable areas.

In Jalandhar berms have been strengthened in this season at the Baopur Complex in Shahkot and Lohgarh Complex in Nakodar.

Executive Engineer, Jalandhar Division, Ajit Singh (in charge for Kapurthala) also, said the strengthening work was recently done at Baguana, Baopur and Sandhla to avoid damage during floods.

Jalandhar DC Varinder Sharma said, “Since the water is way below the flood levels after the release of 40,000 cusecs from Bhakra, an alert has been sounded as a cautionary measure to keep people informed.”