Efforts on to strengthen bandh at Sasrali village

Nearly 1,500-2,000 workers, including Army personnel, NGOs, villagers and MNREGA labourers, have been working round the clock at Sasrali village to strengthen the Dhussi bandh, which developed breaches at several points, following incessant rain in the region over the last few days.

Though the condition at Sasrali Colony remains critical as the Sutlej river continues to flow dangerously close to the bandh, villagers remain determined and hopeful that the structure will hold.

Sarpanch Surinder Singh Namdhari from Sasrali Colony village said the work has not stopped even for a few minutes during the last 72 hours. “Villagers from nearby areas are reaching with sandbags, iron nets and langar for the workers who are relentlessly engaged in the task. We are confident of overcoming this threat,” he added.

The immediate danger comes from the river cutting through sandbanks and inching towards the bandh. Heavy material is being used to divert the flow and prevent a breach.

Simultaneously, an Akhand Path has been organised on the riverbank, only a few yards from where strengthening work is underway. Nek Singh, who is serving langar, said, “Villagers are panicking but babaji’s blessings will save us and the villages. I have faith in god, he answers prayers.”

Boothgarh village Sarpanch Sonu said announcements were made asking villagers to shift livestock to safer places, but most families were reluctant to leave. “People here suffer greatly during natural calamities, yet they refuse to abandon their villages,” he said.

Some farmers, however, held the Central Government responsible, alleging that timely and balanced release of dam waters could have prevented the crisis.

Meanwhile, rumours of a breach drew large crowds of onlookers to the site, forcing authorities to install barricades to regulate movement.

Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain, accompanied by the ADC and SDM, has been camping at Sasrali for the last three days to oversee operations and ensure uninterrupted rescue and reinforcement work.

Officials said nearly 800-1,000 meters of the bandh remain highly vulnerable, where massive efforts are on to plug weak spots and shield the adjoining villages.