Army called out for bundh repair

Harshraj Singh
Tribune News Service
Garhi Fazal (Ludhiana), August 22

A day after a major portion of the Sutlej bundh was damaged at Garhi Fazal, near Mattewara, in the district, its repair is under way. The administration has called out the Army last evening for carrying out relief works. Many women of the nearby villages and a team of Dera Sirsa also helped in ongoing repair work.

Meanwhile, a secondary bundh is also being created behind the damaged portion of the bundh as a preventive measure. However, the worried villagers are keeping a vigil on the river day and night.

A major portion of the bundh had been eroded in the wee hours of Wednesday. “In the absence of availability of stones, trees and sand bags are being placed on the banks. We demanded from the administration that stones be placed for the protection of the bundh. However, an official concerned informed us that stones were unavailable for now,” said Pardeep Singh Khalsa, a villager who was helping in relief works.

The villagers also offered prayers for the safety of the bundh at a religious structure located near the damaged portion. A few social organisations are offering ‘langar’ to the villagers and other persons engaged in repair work. Besides, a medical team was also deployed at the site.

Deputy Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Agrawal said they sought the help of the Army and the NDRF last evening in work to repair and strengthen the bundh. However, the Army personnel returned after carrying out repairs but they could be called again if required, he said.

“The situation is currently under control, but not comfortable. We are keeping a strict vigil on the level of river water. Stones can’t be placed in running water. Thus, trees and sandbags are being placed for the protection of the bundh.”

Sarpanch who averted floods

• About 60-foot portion of the bundh was washed away in the wee hours of Wednesday. Sarpanch of Garhi Fazal Gurnam Singh (67) woke up around 3 am and then he went to check the Sutlej bundh. He was shocked to see a large portion of the bundh having been eroded. 
• “I informed the officials and villagers . Announcements were made through the gurdwaras of the nearby villages. Villagers rushed to the site to take necessary measures for the protection of the remaining part of the bundh,” said Gurnam Singh.
• He said: “I have witnessed major floods of 1978 and1988. Even after passage of many years, the Sutlej bundh has not been strengthened at many points. Now, water has receded but a big portion of soil has been eroded. The bundh area where stones were earlier placed is still safe.”