Boats lacking, rescue slows down in Sultanpur Lodhi

The lack of boats to ferry people from flood-hit villages to safer locations has slowed down rescue efforts in Kapurthala’s Sultanpur Lodhi.

According to sources, visits of politicians are leading to further delays as the boats taking them to affected villages return after hours.

At several places, earthen embankments have weakened, with 20 low-lying mand villages the worst-hit. Rampur Gaura and Sangra are the most affected villages.

Till now, over 100 families have been rescued from the 20 villages, officials said, adding that the area had a population of around 5,000.

Over 60 villages in Sultanpur Lodhi have been hit by floods, with people fearing worsening of the situation in next two days as the weatherman has predicted rain.

Meanwhile, strong currents in the river persisted, leaving rescue operations a challenging task due to smaller boats.

Kapurthala Deputy Commissioner Amit Kumar Panchal said they had pressed 15 boats into service. “The entire administrative machinery has been deployed,” he added.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gaurav Toora said the district administration had felt the need for additional resources considering the magnitude of the calamity.

“We are making multiple rounds and going to augment resources,” he claimed. Except the rescue of people, hundreds of cattle are yet to be taken to safer places. Only one large ‘bera’ (ship) donated by Sultanpur Lodhi MLA Rana Inderpertap is available to ferry them. Paramjit Singh, brother of Baupur village sarpanch Gurmeet Singh, said in interiors, the damage had been more.

“Due to strong river currents, small boats move at a snail’s pace. Several homes have also collapsed. Scores are yet to be rescued with cattle and belongings. More motorboats would expedite the rescue,” he said.

Passan Kadim resident Nishan Singh said at least two to three solid broad-based boats were required in his area ferry cattle alone.

Sultanpur Lodhi MLA Rana Inder Pratap said, “Relief and rescue have been on for 18 days now. Still there are people remaining to be rescued. Shouldn’t that have been done by now? The scale of the floods calls for additional vessels.

Meanwhile, Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian said that nearly 1,200 people belonging to 250 families had been shifted to safer places by the district administration.