Sirhind choe overflows, fields in 100 villages flooded

Tribune News Service

Fatehgarh Sahib, July 13

Thousands of acres of agricultural land in around 100 villages in the district were submerged as the Sirhind choe overflowed in view of the heavy rain in the region.

A survey of the district revealed that several fields were submerged in knee-deep water as drains passing through the district were overflowing. Nearly 155 mm rainfall was recorded in the region in the past three days as compared to 216 mm rainfall in 2010.

Farmers could be seen pumping excess water out of their fields to save their crops. The rainwater could also be seen entering the low-lying areas of Sirhind town.

Residents of Fatehpur, Raipur, Khanpur and Harbanspura Mullanpur villages alleged the area was flooded as Sirhind choe that originated from Khara in Mohali district had been encroached upon. Revenue Department records show the width of the choe had decreased from around 100 feet to 20 feet.

Deputy Commissioner Kamaldeep Sangha said at present, the situation was under control. However, the SDM and the officials of the Public Works Department had been directed to keep a close eye on the situation, he said. Sangha said soon, trees would be planted on both sides of the choe to prevent encroachment in the area.

Crops on 2,000 acres damaged

Patiala: Crops, including paddy and vegetables, on nearly 2,000 acres in various parts of the district were damaged in heavy rain in the last two days. With fields getting inundated, farmers suffered heavy losses in Patran, Nabha and Devigarh.

In Patran, hundreds of acres were submerged when the Jhambo drain overflowed. The Irrigation Department had failed to clean it. Nearly 15 villages, including Thuharh, Dugaal Kalan, Deogarh, Hariau Kalan and Chunagra, were inundated. Farmers reported losses in nearly 12 villages in Samana.

In Nabha and Bhadson, farmers alleged their entire paddy crop had been damaged.

DC sounds alert in villages

Pathankot: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sukhvinder Singh, acting on the advice of the Ranjit Sagar Dam authorities, has sounded an alert for villagers residing alongside the banks of the Ravi. The DC said the dam officials today released nearly 30,000 cusecs.

Dam Superintending Engineer RL Mittal said keeping in view the heavy rain in the region, the authorities had sounded an alert. He said the water level in the dam today touched 523.90 metres (the highest this season) as against its storage capacity of 527.91 metres.

Parabhjot Singh Virk, DSP (rural), said the water level in the Ujj was yet to touch the danger mark. “Since the Met department predicted heavy rain in the coming few days, I have directed police personnel to keep an eye on the situation round the clock,” he added.