Punjab floods: Worried, but not shattered at Sasrali

Starting from daily-need items to water tanks, sandbags and a large workforce — help is pouring into Sasrali village from all sides in these testing times. Villagers remain hopeful that they will overcome the flood threat and safeguard their homes.

Harjinder Singh, a local resident, said he usually goes to Ludhiana daily to sell vegetables, but has stayed back for over five days. “My conscience doesn’t allow me to leave. The village needs us in this natural calamity, and we are doing our best to overcome it,” he said.

The sarpanches of Sasrali and Boothgarh villages shared that they had requested acquaintances from nearby areas to send sand trolleys. “Since filling sandbags here is difficult, we asked them to prepare and send bags from their villages. These are being placed near the bandh to stop water from entering the villages,” said former Sasrali sarpanch Karam Singh.

Another villager said Sasrali had a population of about 2,500-3,000. “Whenever needed, we stand together. Though the administration is requesting us to move, we are reluctant. Hundreds of workers are working to stop the water. How can we leave them and go elsewhere?” he asked, while placing sandbags on the river bank. Villagers also appealed to onlookers to stay away from the weak banks, warning that loose sand could slip anytime, endangering lives.

DC directs animal care services in 14 villages

Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain on Friday directed the Animal Husbandry Department to provide door-to-door animal healthcare services in 14 villages near the Sutlej. Veterinary teams comprising officers, inspectors and support staff will function from 8 am to 8 pm. Animal rescue centres have also been set up at Mattewara Mandi and Khasi Kalan Mandi for additional support. The services will cover Meharban, Mangli Kadar, Mangat, Ravat, Khawjke, Dheri, Boot, Khasi Khurd, Sasrali Colony, Boothgarh, Hawaas, Mattewara, Seerha, and Mangli Tanda.