Breach in Dhussi bundh, 35 villages face flood threat in Sultanpur Lodhi

The swelling waters of the Beas have triggered a flood crisis in Sultanpur Lodhi, where the rising currents have begun eroding the embankments meant to safeguard dozens of villages.

According to officials, the river’s flow has surged to nearly 1.16 lakh cusecs, putting immense pressure on the dhussi embankment, where a 500-600-foot long advance bundh has already sustained damage. The threat looms large over the mand area of Sultanpur Lodhi, where more than 35 villages are at risk of being inundated, if the breaches widen.

Drainage Department SDO Khushwinder Singh confirmed the alarming rise in water levels, underscoring the vulnerability of the embankment system. In response, Rajya Sabha member Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal and his volunteers have established a base at the flood site and are working relentlessly to fortify the weak stretches of the bund. They have begun stacking sandbags to create makeshift reinforcements, in hopes of shielding three dozen villages from a full-scale disaster.

Despite these efforts, the flood waters have already left a trail of destruction. Reports indicate that around 20 villages are submerged, with farmlands and homes bearing the brunt of nature’s fury. Farmers are among the worst hit — Jarnail Singh, a resident of Baupur village, said his 10 acres of paddy crop had gone under water, while another farmer Inderjit lost nearly 40 acres of cultivated land to the floods. The devastation has sparked fears of long-term financial setbacks for families dependent on agriculture in the region.

Amid the crisis, relief efforts are being bolstered by not just officials and local volunteers but also prominent figures. Former cricketer Harbhajan Singh has stepped in to support flood victims, providing much-needed assistance to affected communities. His involvement has given a morale boost to families grappling with the crisis, many of whom have been forced to abandon their homes and seek refuge in safer areas.

With the Beas showing no signs of receding, tension continues to mount across Sultanpur Lodhi. The flooding has not only ravaged crops but also disrupted daily life, leaving roads, schools, and essential services crippled. As sandbagging and emergency reinforcements continue at the bundh, residents remain on the edge, watching the river’s rising waves with uncertainty. For now, the resilience of the people and the tireless efforts of volunteers are the only barriers holding back an even greater catastrophe.

Bhajji visits flood-hit

MPs Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal and cricketer Harbhajan Singh Bhajji visited the flood-affected villages of the mand area. With the help of a tractor, both MPs reached the homes of the affected people.

Harbhajan Singh Bhajji praised the efforts of Seechewal, saying that whenever people face crises, he always steps forward to help. That is why, from the very first day, he arranged for excavators, JCB machines, and two boats for flood relief. Bhajji assured the farmers that he would raise this issue with the Central and Punjab Governments seriously and remain committed to finding a solution.