60,000 acres of paddy under water in Sultanpur Lodhi

Heavy rainfall and subsequent waterlogging have deepened the flood crisis in several parts of Punjab, with Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala district emerging as one of the worst-affected regions. More than 60,000 acres of paddy crop have remained submerged under five to seven feet of water, raising serious concerns over agricultural losses and the livelihood of farming families.

Officials reported that despite large-scale crop losses, there have been no casualties, injuries, or livestock deaths in the affected areas. Meanwhile, the rising levels of the Beas and Sutlej have kept the authorities on alert. The Beas, which had earlier receded to 1.84 lakh cusecs, has swollen again following recent rain, while the Sutlej is flowing above the danger mark near Gidderpindi village at 2.03 lakh cusecs. Officials cautioned that the increased flow is exerting pressure on the Dhussi bundh embankment.

100 houses in RCF Colony inundated

Continuous heavy rainfall over the past three days has worsened the plight of Rail Coach Factory (RCF) employees and their families. Nearly 100 houses in the colony have been inundated after rainwater entered homes due to a faulty drainage system, damaging household belongings. RCF employees have blamed the crisis on administrative negligence.

Admn inspects STPs

Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Dr Akshita Gupta, accompanied by SDM Jashanjit Singh and officials from the Water Supply and Sewerage Board, including SDO Pardeep Chottani, carried out extensive inspections of sewage treatment plants and key civic infrastructure to review preparedness.

Later, Dr Gupta and the SDM toured several flood-hit villages, including Bhaghana, Panchhat, Rawalpindi, Rampur Khaliyan, and Naroor. According to official estimates, floodwaters have impacted 19 villages in Phagwara, and submerging large swathes of farmland. Relief and rescue teams remain deployed, and a helpline (01824-260794) has been activated for emergencies.

DC Amit Kumar Panchal visited Brindpur and Kala Sanghian, where waterlogging and road blockages were disrupting traffic. He directed the Public Works Department to act immediately to keep key roads functional and ordered the Drainage Department to ensure smooth outflow of rainwater.

Political leaders pitch in

Former Union Minister Som Parkash visited flood-affected villages of Phagwara and distributed ration, medicines, tarpaulins, and household essentials to needy families. He was accompanied by BJP leaders Avtar Mand, Rajiv Pahwa, and local volunteers.

Local Bodies Minister Dr Ravjot Singh visited various villages of Vidhan Sabha constituency of Sham Chaurasi and took stock of the difficulties faced by the villagers during the rainy season. During this, he visited village Baheda, Kukanet and Pandori Khajur and met the local residents and listened to their problems seriously.

Relief efforts intensified

Widespread relief efforts continued across the flood-affected villages of Phagwara on Wednesday, with social organisations, political leaders, and community figures joining hands to support displaced families.

The prominent Doaba-based organisation Sarv Naujawan Sabha, under the leadership of its president Sukhvinder Singh, distributed essential supplies, including ration, drinking water, tarpaulins, and medicines, in rural areas. Four pick-up vans carrying relief material were flagged off from the Sabha’s vocational centre at Hoshiarpur Road by SDM Jashanjeet Singh.