Overflowing Chitti Bein poses flood threat to Cantt villages

The continuous rain and overflowing Chitti Bein have posed a flood threat in several parts of Jalandhar Cantt villages. Water has entered fields in a few villages, putting hundreds of acres of crops at risk.

Sensing the looming danger, AICC secretary and MLA Pargat Singh visited the affected areas of the constituency on Sunday afternoon. During the visit, he alerted senior district administration officials on the phone, urging them to take preventive measures and closely monitor the situation.

No flood threat, claims DC

DC Himanshu Aggarwal on Sunday appealed to the public not to panic over reports of floods in Jalandhar Cantt. Aggarwal said the administration was keeping a close watch on the situation, which was under control. Some low-lying areas had witnessed waterlogging due to raised water levels in the Chitti Bein. It was also due to overnight rain, which too was being perceived as floodwater. He said a district-level flood control room had also been set up at helpline number 0181-2224417 and state-level control room number 0181-2240064 is also operational where citizens can seek information or assistance.

After inspecting flood-affected villages, including Kukkad Pind, Chachowal, Jagraal, and Bajhua, Pargat said water flowing from the Hoshiarpur side towards Phagwara had caused the Chitti Bein to overflow, flooding adjoining farmland. He warned of grave threat if the situation worsens overnight.

He also criticised the government and district administration for failing to carry out timely cleaning and desilting of the Chitti Bein. At the Jagraal-Bajhua bridge, Singh observed that water was flowing over the bridge and cracks had already developed, posing a risk of collapse. The connectivity between the two villages is threatened and several kutcha houses and rural roads have been damaged by waterlogging.

Pargat cautioned that while Punjab’s Majha and Malwa regions are already reeling under severe floods, if Doaba is also hit, the situation could become more dangerous than the 1988 floods.

Speaking to local residents, Pargat reassured them of his support, appealed to people not to panic, and emphasised the need to remain vigilant. He also urged villagers to promptly inform him or the authorities in case of any emergency.

Local leaders, including Baldev Singh Uddopur, Lambardar Kulwant Singh, Vikramjit Singh (Panchayat member, Jamsher), were present with the MP.