Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann visits flood-hit Sultanpur Lodhi villages

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday visited flood-hit areas of Sultanpur Lodhi and ordered officials to undertake de-silting of the Beas to prevent flooding in future.

He also asked officials to explore the possibility of strengthening embarkment on both sides of the river.

Mann said a special girdawari (crop loss assessment) should be initiated to compensate farmers who suffered losses due to flooding.

The CM first conducted an aerial survey of the flood-hit areas in a helicopter and then visited the Baupur bridge, where he interacted with farmers, villagers and officials. He remained there for half an hour.

He was accompanied by Revenue Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal.

Health Minister Balbir Singh also visited flood-hit areas this afternoon.

A breach in a temporary \Ibundh\I at Bhaini Bahadur village near Baupur on August 12, caused by rising water level in the Beas, led to inundation of 17 villages of Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala.

Later, the number of villages hit by flooding increased to 22.

Subsequent breaches at several location in the low-lying \Imand \Iarea have been keeping

farmers on toes.

At Baupur and adjoining villages, water entered homes, making boats the only way of transportation currently usable.

The CM laid stress on the need for a special girdawari so that those who suffered losses in terms of crops, houses or cattle could be compensated as soon as possible.

The CM also directed that engineers be deputed to ensure arrangements to mitigate the damage from flooding in future.

“The CM has instructed a special girdawari and called for fool-proof solutions to prevent damage from flooding in future,” said Seechewal.