Rescue op on in flood-hit Kapurthala

As the country immersed itself in Independence Day celebrations, Rajya Sabha MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal was on the frontline, supervising rescue operations of people trapped in flood-hit areas of Punjab’s Kapurthala district.

Water level in the Beas is continuing to rise, with inflow reaching 1.25 lakh cusecs, several villages in the Mand area have been submerged, some under 5 to 7 feet of water. Early this morning, Seechewal, accompanied by district officials, reached Sangra village by motorboat and evacuated a family, including two children, from their waterlogged home. Over the past three days, his team of volunteers has rescued more than 125 residents from affected villages.

The most severely hit villages are Baupur, Baupur Kadeem, Jadid and Sangra, where standing paddy crop is submerged under 5-6 feet of water. Livestock owners are struggling to move their cattle to safety, with many fearing more losses if water level rises further.

Kapurthala administration officials said around 300 people have been relocated to safe shelters, although some families prefer to stay in their homes. Seechewal’s team has set up community kitchens for the displaced and is supplying fodder for animals. Two motorboats have been deployed for relief operations.

A 100-foot breach in an embankment remains open due to the strong river current, with the Drainage Department preparing sandbags to plug it once water levels recede.

Deputy Commissioner, Kapurthala, has instructed senior officials from the Drainage, Revenue, Health and Animal Husbandry Departments to remain stationed in Sultanpur Lodhi to coordinate relief efforts and ensure round-the-clock monitoring of the embankments.