People recall trail of destruction left by river in past

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, July 16

The residents of different villages of the Ghanaur and Devigarh blocks of the district residing along the banks of the Ghaggar are having flashbacks of flood fury of 2010. 

In fact, seasonal river Ghaggar wrecked havoc in 2010, and people of the area are apprehensive about the same cruelty again.

The water level of Ghaggar reaching the danger mark of 16 feet at Sarhala, on Tuesday, has been giving villagers sleepless nights. 

Ghaggar passes through Samana, Devigarh, Sanaur and Ghanaur towns of Patiala district which had been the worst hit in the past — witnessing loss of property and life in 1988, 1993 and 2010.

On Wednesday morning, water of Ghaggar entered Sarhala Khurd village of Ghanaur block.

Karam Singh, a resident of Sarhala Kalan, said, “In 2010 also, water had entered our households, and it created havoc. This time again Ghaggar water has already entered our fields, and the way the water level has risen in last 24 hours; we are fearing the worst.”

Sukhjeet Singh, a farmer of Rathian village in Sanaur block, said they had been facing the nature’s wrath since decades, but the government did nothing to raise any concrete wall along the river. 

Laaljeet Singh, ex-sarpanch, Magar Sahib village in Devigarh block, said, “There was a sense of fear among the villages of Devigarh Block after the reports of flooding in neighboring block Ghanaur. “After Ghanaur, it (Ghaggar) might enter our block. People in some villages of the block have already started leaving the villages – in fear.” Laaljeet said.

In the meanwhile, Junior Engineer (JE), Drainage Department, Sushant Walia, said, “The water level has decreased a little over the last 12 hours. If it does not rain in Chandigarh and Himachal belt, the level will decrease further.”