Fazilka villages inundated again

At least 10 Fazilka flood-hit villages located along the border with Pakistan have once again been inundated by the Sutjel waters, mainly due to increased flow in the river following heavy rainfall in its catchment areas in Himachal Pradesh.

A breach in a bundh (earthen dyke) constructed to prevent the entry of riverwater from Pakistan has compounded the problem. The river flows in a zigzag pattern here, criss-crossing into into Pakistan at several points along the border.

The affected villages included Jhangar Bhaini, Teja Ruhela, Dona Nanka, Mahatam Nagar, Dhani Sadda Singh, Gatti Number 1, Retewali Bhaini, Chak Ruhela, Walleshah Hithar and Ram Singh Bhaini.

Purshotam Singh, sarpanch of flood-affected Teja Ruhela village, said the Sutlej waters once again inundated roads and fields in their area.

“The water level has increased up to one feet as the bundh constructed near Gulaba Bhaini village on the India-Pakistan border was swept away. Due to it, the water from the Pakistan side started entering already affected villages,” said Subhash Singh, sarpanch of Retewali Bhaini village.

According to information, over 1 lakh cusecs of water was released from the Hussainiwala Headworks on September 13, increasing to 1,29,839 cusecs this morning.

Meanwhile, Additional Deputy Commissioner Mandeep Kaur said the district administration had been keeping a close watch on the developing situation.

She said though the increase in the water level had not been significant, arrangements were in place to tackle flooding if some villages were facing problems.