NDRF conducts flood rescue mock drill in Ropar

A team from the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) today conducted a mock drill in Ropar district to prepare for potential flood rescue operations along the Sutlej river.

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The exercise involved administrative authorities from the Nangal subdivision and local residents.

The NDRF team is currently in Ropar to familiarise itself with Punjab's flood plains, aiming to enhance its cadres' experience in flood rescue.

Deputy Commissioner Varjeet Singh Walia, while talking to The Tribune, said, "The team, stationed in Nangal town, will spend five days (July 21-25) acquainting themselves with the state's flood-prone areas. The drill included a mock rescue operation in Nangal and community awareness programmes for the public and schoolchildren on disaster preparedness."

Ropar district, with its flood plains along the Sutlej and its tributaries like the Swan and Sirsa rivers, is susceptible to flooding during monsoons, especially when inflows exceed 1 lakh cusec.

Despite the Bhakra and Nangal Dams regulating the Sutlej, these tributaries can cause significant flooding. Heavy rainfall in neighbouring Himachal Pradesh has placed district authorities on high alert, with continuous monitoring of the flood situation. Residents along the Sutlej and its tributaries remain at constant risk of floods.