Alert sounded for Patiala villages after fresh rain in Ghaggar catchment area

The district administration sounded a flood alert, asking residents of over a dozen villages situated along the Ghaggar to stay vigilant as the water level in the seasonal river touched the danger mark following heavy rainfall in the areas fed by it.

According to the district administration, the water level in the Ghaggar will rise in the next 10 to 12 hours due to heavy rainfall in the upstream areas of Chandigarh and Dera Bassi. “The level had risen abruptly to 8ft now in the Chandigarh region”, read the late evening orders.

The advisory issued to the SDMs added, “Based on the current situation, Ghaggar at Sarala is expected to rise further to 14 to 15 feet in the next 12 hours. “An alert advisory is requested to be issued based on Bhankarpur- Chandigarh levels in the towns of Ghanaur and Sanour.”

Villages put on high alert are Untsar, Nanherhi, Sanjarpur, Lacchru, Kamalpur, Rampur, Saunta, Marhu, Chamaru, Bhasmara, Jalahkherhi, Haddana, Pur and Sirkapra in Sanaur, Ghanaur and Rajpura subdivisions of the district.

“Residents have been asked not to venture near the Ghaggar and inform the district flood control room in case of any emergency related to the water level”, said officials.

The river Ghaggar originates in Himachal and runs through Punjab, entering the state at Mohali’s Mubarikpur village, where it caused some losses today.

‘Situation under control’

Deputy Commissioner Preeti Yadav, meanwhile, appealed to people to remain calm and not to “spread rumours” while maintaining that the situation was “under control”. She advised them to report any emergency to the district control room at 0175-2350550.

A senior Irrigation Department official too said as of now, there was “no need to panic”. “Officials are keeping an eye on the situation as the water flow due to rains in the hills needs monitoring,” he added.

Vast swathes of land in Sanaur subdivison had in July 2019 submerged underwater. In 2023, several villages were cut-off from other areas as an overbridge developed cracks.