Sutlej overflows near Ladhowal

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 19

The Sutlej water level crossed the danger mark of 237.58 metres at Ladhowal bridge, near Phillaur, on Sunday night and touched 238 metres. However, the water level was recorded at 237.37 metres, below danger mark, at 3 pm on Monday.

Sutlej overflowed near Ladhowal and its waters entered the premises of gurdwara just located near the toll plaza on the National Highway No. 1. 

Water also entered fields at backside of the gurdwara and a dargah. Besides, Shani Mandir, which is located on the other side of the Sutlej bridge, near Phillaur, was also flooded. 

A major breach in Sutlej bundh at Bholewal Qadim village of Ludhiana left fields submerged in different villages. Many people visited the gurdwara near toll plaza to see the flooded area this morning. 

Balraj Singh, a sewadar at the gurdwara said, “The river started overflowing last night and its water entered the gurdwara premises. We had to shift Guru Granth Sahib to nearby gurdwara with full respect. However, the water started reducing on Monday morning.” 

A villager, Jaswinder Singh (30) said, “The rive water started overflowing at dargah, but its level reduced on Monday morning. I had never seen such a situation created by Sutlej waters. The people offered prayers to prevent flooding last night. We have learnt that the water reduced marginally in the river on Monday morning.”

A group of villagers said, “There is need to strengthen the river banks to stop overflowing in the future.” They also claimed that no alert was sounded about the overflowing river waters.

Meanwhile, Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Agrawal said, “District-level flood control room has been set up at my office. Its number is 0161-2433100.” 

The contact number of flood control room at the Samrala office is 01628-262354, Khanna office 01628-226091, Payal office 01628-276892, Raikot office 01624-264350, Jagraon office 01624-223226 and 240223, Ludhiana (East) office 0161-2400150, Ludhiana (West) office 0161-2412555, Executive Engineer (XEN), Drainage, 0161-2520232, Health 0161-2444193, Ludhiana police 0161-2414932-33, 9815800251, 7837018500, Secretary (RTA) 9872721309, Army 8558940825 and Food & Civil Supply 9815592855.

Paddy damaged

The paddy crop in various areas was damaged as water from the Sutlej river entered the fields after breach at Bholewal Qadim village. Besides, crops were also damaged near Ladhowal when the river overflowed last night. The affected farmers have demanded girdawari of damaged crops from the government so that they can get timely compensation.

NDRF rescue operation on

A number of people were rescued after the river breach at Bholewal Qadim village. The NDRF along with boats reached the village and nearby areas to rescue residents after getting information about the breach. They also rescued some persons from houses located in  fields as per information. Meanwhile, they also rescued some cattle in the affected areas.

Villagers blame sand mafia

A group of villagers at Bholewal Qadim village blamed the sand mafia for floods in the village after river breach. They alleged that illegal mining of sand, which was being done from various parts of the river, was threat to river banks and the area.