Farmers worried as Beas water level rises

Rajya Sabha member Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal visited the Mand area this afternoon. With water from the Beas reaching the advance embankment, farmers in the region have grown increasingly worried. Reassuring them, Seechewal said he would always stand by the farmers. He directed the Executive Engineer of the Irrigation Department to maintain coordination with the farmers and ensure that soil-filled sandbags are kept ready wherever the embankment appears weak.

Advising the farmers, Sant Seechewal said they should remain as vigilant as soldiers. Without waiting for outside help, they should make all preparations to strengthen the embankment. He described the farmers cultivating in the Mand area as warriors, stating that farming between the Beas and the Kali Bein is in itself a major challenge. Farming in Mand is risky, as one never knows when the river might change its course and sweep away their land and crops.

Encouraging the farmers, he assured them that he would stand with them in every time of crisis. Farmers gathered at the spot reported that the water level in the Beas is steadily rising. They said water is currently flowing at 80,000 cusecs near Dhilwan Bridge. According to them, if the flow exceeds 1,00,000 cusecs, the risk of breaches in sensitive parts of the advance embankment will increase.

The advance embankment of the Beas is reported to be vulnerable in several locations. In 2023, breaches in this embankment caused severe damage to the paddy crop. In this region, around 25,000 to 30,000 acres are cultivated with paddy each year.