Central team points to mega losses in Fazilka

The inter-ministerial central team that visited flood-hit areas of Fazilka district on Thursday and Friday has highlighted large-scale agriculture losses and critical infrastructure damage in its report.

The team also laid thrust on urgent relief operations coupled with long- term flood mitigation. The central team, led by Laxman Ram Buldak, Director, Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, visited marooned villages.

According to the report, a copy of which is with The Tribune, mentions that villages along the Sutlej creek have been submerged and approach roads to affected habitation are cut off. It states that boats remain the only means of access and paddy (90 per cent) and fodder (10 per cent) has been extensively destroyed.

The report further reads that three gurdwaras and 40-50 houses are under water and trees, government buildings and electric poles in a large number have been damaged.

Besides, the Kawanwali Bridge that connects 10 villages with Fazilka city had been damaged to some extent. The team also observed breaches at multiple points, worsening flooding and posing threat to more inundation.

Meanwhile, central teams also visited Ferozepur, Sultanpur Lodhi to assess damage caused by the floods.