51,000 cusecs of water released into Sutlej; no need to panic, says DC

Around 51,000 cusecs of water was released at 6 am today from Ropar (Bhakra Dam) into the Sutlej. As per the district administration, it generally takes around eight hours for the water level to show its impact in Ludhiana district. However, officials confirmed that the situation is under control as far as the threat of flood is concerned in this part of the region. At present, the flow into the Sutlej (in Ludhiana district) stands at 34,000 cusecs, which is well below the danger mark.

Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain told The Tribune that there was no cause for panic. “The released water will enter the district within eight hours, but the flood situation is under control even at vulnerable villages. The situation will not be alarming until the water level touches 1.40 lakh cusecs. The district has already conducted detailed mock drills and is well-prepared to tackle any eventuality,” he said.

In Ludhiana, there are 11 main vulnerable points, where any rise in the Sutlej level could threaten nearby villages. These include Sherpur Bet, Tandi, Kamalpur, Nurpur Bet, Khanpur Mand, Khanpur, Shergarh, Dupana, Sikandar, Rejewal Jattan, Dhullewal, Mand Jodhewal, Mand Sherian, Mand Fatehgarh, Mand Gonsgarh, Sukhewal, Burj Sherpur and Hodhwal in Samrala.

In Ludhiana (East), vulnerable villages include Garhi Sheru, Garhi Togar, Garhi Fazal, Bhukri Khurd, Bhukri Kalan, Khasi Kalan, Khaira, Burj Mankaur, Burj Kamran and Walipur Kalan. In Jagraon subdivision, Kamian Hussaini, Maniawal, Aliwal, Walipur Khurd, Baniawal, Talwandi Naubad and Bhundri face potential threat, while in Ludhiana (West) Kasabad, Jamalpur Laily, Bholewal Jadid, Manjara Kalan and Allowal are listed as sensitive.

Flood-protection works have already begun in these areas, including the construction of studs, cleaning of drains and arrangements for sandbags, JCB machines and tractor-trailers.

Avtar Singh, a villager from Issapur, said there was no panic in his village. “Though excessive water had entered the fields during continuous rains in the past 15 days, the situation is not alarming now,” he said. Avtar added that the illegal mining along the Sutlej was a cause of concern as because of this, there were more chances of floods as the sand along the banks of Sutlej had been dug out illegally, posing threat to several villages.