Train services take a hit as Sutlej waters inch closer to railway track

Amid anxious moments after reports that the Sutlej was set to get double the amount inflow from Tuesday afternoon, the day passed off largely peacefully with most embankments from Nawanshahr to Phillaur and further towards Shahkot largely remaining safe.

By this afternoon, the inflow had touched 1.35 lakh cusecs at Gidderpindi gauge from 70,000 cusecs yesterday. The Sutlej waters had reached the level of Gidderpindi railway track, touching its lower surface. Following the reports, railway officials decided to cancel two trains between Gidderpindi and Makhu, short-terminate five trains and short-originate three passenger trains.

The flow of water in the Sutlej remained fast. Residents of Dhingarpur village of Balachaur tehsil in Nawanshahr district had started gathering in large numbers along the dhussi bundh since last night amid reports that the embankment had gone week. They spent the entire night filling sandbags and stacking them into crates, which were then placed along the bundh to prevent any breach. The operation continued till this morning untill the level of river water came down.

DC, Nawanshahr, Ankurjeet Singh also visited this spot to oversee the situation and assure people that the situation was largely under control. He also visited Bela Tajowal, another hotspot at the dhussi bundh in Balachaur. He reviewed the water flow in the river and said the water level had receded to 65,000 cusecs, which was nearly 1.25 lakh cusecs last night.

Ankurjeet also mentioned that officials and villagers were continuously working to ensure the safety of the bundh. He said the teams were strengthening the embankments on a war-footing at Talwandi Sibu, Dariyapur and Burj Tehal Dass under the supervision of SDMs.

Similarly, there were some anxious moments for the residents of Sanghowal village too. Falling between Phillaur and Nurmahal, residents of this village of Nakodar said a temporary embankment that they had constructed to safeguard their village had been washed away. Congress leader Dr Navjot Dahiya and AAP MLA Inderjit Kaur Mann had reached the spot to ensure that work remained on and the village was safe.

MP Balbir Singh Seechewal, addressing people gathered at the embankment, said the Sutlej had a carrying capacity of 2,00,000 cusecs. Seechewal warned that if heavy rain continues in Himachal Pradesh and additional water is released from the Bhakra Dam, the situation could worsen.

Executive Engineer (XEN) of the Drainage Department Sirtaj Singh stated that the Sutlej water is still flowing below the embankment. He assured that the embankment’s strength and monitoring are being constantly checked by the department’s SDO and JE.