Flood fury: 60 acres of paddy, poplar trees destroyed in Ludhiana’s Sasrali village

About 15-20 farmers in Sasrali village, Machhiwara, have suffered significant losses after water from the Sutlej river entered their fields following continuous rains. Standing paddy and poplar trees on nearly 60 acres were completely destroyed as the river’s water level rose and inundated the farmland.

Acknowledge the story as true, says the Supreme Court on plea against Kejriwal’s arrest in excise policy case. A team of district officials, including Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain, SDM (East), patwaris, and the tehsildar, visited the village to assess the situation. Cabinet Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian also met the affected farmers and assured them of compensation.

Village Sarpanch Karam Singh said, “The Sutlej river overflowed into our fields two days ago. Farmers have been cultivating here for years, but this time, the water flow damaged both paddy and poplar trees. The government must provide compensation; otherwise, farmers will be ruined.”

The administration has begun mapping the damaged fields to prepare estimates for relief. DC Himanshu Jain said that while teams are assessing crop losses, farmers will also be compensated for poplar trees. “These trees can be used to strengthen bandhs against floods,” he said.

Revenue Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian, who reviewed the situation at Sasrali Colony on Thursday, confirmed that the water level has now receded and the situation is under control. He said a special girdawari would be conducted to assess losses as soon as the floodwaters fully subside. “The government is committed to compensating every farmer. I pray for normalcy to return quickly across Punjab,” he added.

The DC has directed the irrigation department to strengthen the Dhussi bandh immediately using stone studs, sandbags, and other preventive measures. He also appealed to residents not to believe in rumours, assuring that the administration is fully alert.

To streamline relief operations, all SDMs in Ludhiana have been told to remain on the ground for real-time monitoring. Flood control rooms have been activated at the district and subdivision levels.

The DAC control room can be contacted at 0161-2433100, while subdivision control room numbers are: Ludhiana East (0161-2922330), Ludhiana West (0161-2412555), Jagraon (01624-223256), Khanna (01628-226091), Samrala (01628-262354), Payal (01628-276892), Raikot (01624-264350), and MC Ludhiana (0161-2749120).