In Ropar’s Bela areas, 50,000 face loss of shelter

Ropar: Around 50,000 people living in Bela areas, the land located between two streams of the Sutlej, face the threat of flooding here. Over the past two decades, these Bela lands, traditionally a part of the riverbed and used as grazing grounds, gradually transformed into thriving settlements due to continuous encroachments.

Initially, the locals began cultivating the land. Encouraged by successful harvests, they went a step further, building permanent houses on the riverbed.

Earlier, these settlements used to remain cut-off during monsoon months. As connectivity improved after the construction of bridges, it allowed access to the flood-prone zones throughout the year.

Now, with heavy rainfall lashing the area, these Bela villages are under severe threat. Locals fear the rising water could soon enter their homes, uprooting entire communities. Tushar Goyal, Executive Engineer of the Drainage Department here, said “We have issued notices under the Punjab Drainage Act to those who constructed houses in the riverbed.” However, department sources said enforcement had been limited to paperwork, with little to no ground-level action to remove illegal settlements or prevent further encroachments.

Illegal structures rebuilt after every flood in Ghaggar

Patiala: From cowsheds, religious structures to godowns and shops, hundreds of buildings have come up on the Ghaggar riverbed in the state, hampering the natural flow of the rain-fed river.

A senior Irrigation Department officer said many families have been illegally occupying the riverbed for decades. They rebuild their structures after damage during every flood. “While farming on the riverbed isn’t illegal, no compensation is paid for any loss to crops or other structures,” the official said.

Alleging that crores of rupees had been spent on temporary measures, residents of flood-prone villages said rampant corruption in carrying out the annual repair of the river embankments exposed them to the flood fury. “Wild growth blocks the natural flow while there’s no action against encroachments,” said senior correspondent with a vernacular daily.

In Gurdaspur, entire villages came up on floodplains

Gurdaspur: Entire villages have come on the Beas and Ravi floodplains in the Gurdaspur district over the years. According to an estimate, nearly 450 villages are located on the floodplains in the district.

These villages have come up in Dera Baba Nanak, Kalanaur, Dinanagar, Dhariwal, Fatehgarh Churian, Sri-Hargobindpur. The areas had seen massive flooding in 1988 and 1993 too. Officials said the work of the Drainage Department had not been up to the mark. Recently, in Dinanagar , the department had demolished several houses that had been built on the riverbed.

The main factors contributing to flooding in Gurdaspur are the river systems. Gurdaspur is bordered by the Ravi and Beas. The district also has numerous seasonal rivulets.

The other factor is the Bet area, the land falling between the Ravi and Beas. This is a flood-prone zone.