Flood-like situation in Malwa belt

Tribune Reporters
Abohar, July 15 

Army was called to drain rainwater as Sriganganagar, near Abohar, received heavy rain for the third consecutive day on Friday and paralysed normal life.

According to the Meteorological Department, during the last 24 hours, Sriganganagar received 271 mm (11 inches) of rain. The last time the highest rainfall in a day was recorded on July 18, 1978, when there was 100 mm of rain. On September 5, 2014, also it rained continuously for 16 hours, but the previous record was not broken. 

Army called in

Sriganganagar: As the situation worsened with flooding of the Purani Abadi and other areas in Sriganganagar, the administration sought the help of the Army. Teams of Army personnel reached in the afternoon and started draining out rainwater.

Two injured in roof collapse

Muktsar: Two people were injured in a roof collapse incident at Sammewali village here. Besides, a large number of chickens died in a roof collapse at a poultry farm on Bura Gujjar Road here. Six sheep and five goats died in a roof collapse incident at Kakhanwali village.

The district administration had to declare a holiday in educational institutions for an indefinite period. Attendance in waterlogged government offices was thin as staff could not come out of their houses. 

Goods worth crores of rupees were damaged in houses and shops as per social media posts. Efforts were being made to drain rainwater towards the link channel canal. 

Sriganganagar District Collector Rukmani Riyar said, “The Army has been told to arrange 100 pumps for draining rainwater. Teams of the Municipal Council, Improvement Trust, Revenue Department, the SDRF and Home Guard have been formed to coordinate with the Army.” 

Abohar also witnessed waterlogging at many places as it rained heavily since morning. A breach in a sub canal was reported near Kala Tibba village, 8-km from Abohar. Besides, a 40-ft-wide breach developed in Malukpura sub canal. Another breach was reported in Kamalwala sub canal. Most markets and schools were closed in Abohar. 

Muktsar: With just a few hours of rain, a flood-like situation was witnessed in Muktsar district today. Roads and streets in all three towns – Muktsar, Malout and Gidderbaha – were inundated. Further, fields in the low lying areas of the district too were flooded.

This reminded people of 2013, when rain had caused losses running into crores. Meanwhile, taking stock of the situation, the Deputy Commissioner has ordered people not to make any ‘bundh’ to stop the natural flow of water. 

Gurpreet Singh, Chief Agriculture Officer, Muktsar, said, “The report of today’s rainfall will come tomorrow. However, till 8 am today, the district’s average rainfall was recorded at 51.4 mm,” he said.

Fazilka: Prolonged power cuts imposed in Fazilka town left residents high and dry during the last two days. After heavy rainfall on Thursday and Friday the power supply of nearly half of the town remained disrupted. Vijay Chawla of the TV Tower locality said power was snapped at 2 pm on Thursday and restored in the wee hours today. 

Similarly, Rajesh Kumar of Malkana Mohalla said power cut was imposed at 3.30 am today. Power was restored at 4 pm today, he added. 

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