Army swings into action as Beas water level rises to 2.30L cusecs

As the level of flood waters around the Beas in Sultanpur Lodhi has been rising, the district administration on Thursday requisitioned the Army to assist in evacuation of the affected families.

Army jawans reached the site with boats and quickly started the relief operation, helping farmers come out to safer places. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team on Thursday evacuated 100 persons from flood-affected villages and about 60 persons were brought out by the teams of AAP MP Balbir Seechewal.

The level of floodwater rose to 2.30 lakh cusecs this morning, endangering the lives of 2,000 persons choosing to stay back in the marooned villages in the mand areas. Seechewal's team and the district administration pressed eight motor boats for relief. Seechewal said, "With the water level rising upto 8-10 feet in some locations, the affected farmers were waiting for evacuation. For the same reason, we felt that there is the shortage of motor boats and eight were insufficient to evacuate such a large number of people."

A sunny weather and no rain, however, was the only solace for the villagers and the rescue teams. Meanwhile, the breach in temporary bundh widened to 700 feet, according to official sources.

Leave villages: DC to villagers

As many villagers were still unwilling to come out, Deputy Commissioner, Kapurthala, Amit Kumar Panchal has made a fervent appeal to residents of Baupur Mand to immediately move to safer locations as the flood water level continues to rise following heavy rainfall in the hilly regions.

He emphasised that the safety of people remains the administration’s foremost priority and urged those still staying in their houses in affected areas to evacuate at once. The DC said emergency relief centres have been established at Government School in Lakh Waryan, Sultanpur Lodhi, and at Gurdwara Sahib in Mand Kooka for residents of Dhilwan block. These centres have been equipped with arrangements for accommodation, food supplies, and medicines.

40 animals rescued

The district administration has also intensified efforts to protect livestock in flood-affected regions. Officials confirmed that around 40 animals were rescued, using boats and safely relocated these to higher ground. Panchal said teams from the Animal Husbandry Department are conducting regular health check-ups, administering vaccinations, and asking dairy farmers to take preventive measures against water-borne diseases.

The DC appealed to residents in vulnerable areas to seek immediate assistance from administration teams to safeguard their animals. Dr RP Singh, Deputy Director of the Animal Husbandry Department, said six teams have been deployed round the clock for veterinary care. So far, the teams have treated nearly 512 animals and distributed over 172 quintals of fodder in affected areas.

The district administration has urged people to promptly contact control rooms for any assistance. Helpline numbers are 62800-49331, 01822-231990, and the Sultanpur Lodhi Sub-Division Flood Control Room at 01828-222169, all of which remain operational 24/7.

AAP leaders make beeline at flood site

Cabinet Minister Mohinder Bhagat visited flood-affected areas in Baupur to oversee ongoing relief operations. Accompanied by Seechewal, the minister travelled by a tractor to evaluate the government’s flood response efforts. Bhagat issued directives to expedite the evacuation of residents from the affected areas to safer locations. The minister instructed officials to enhance facilities at relief camps established at Lakha Varyan and Mand Kuka gurdwara, focusing on adequate shelter, medical supplies, and food ration. Special attention was directed toward meeting the healthcare needs of women, the elderly, and children. Bhagat also reviewed relief efforts in the flood-affected villages of Baguwal and Kamnewal in Dhilwan.

Jarnail Nangal, Chairman of the Phagwara Improvement Trust and Doaba Zone In-charge of Aam Aadmi Party’s SC Wing, went to Baupur mand area in extending immediate assistance to stranded residents. He, along with volunteers, actively helped in evacuating people trapped in rising waters.