Over 71,000 acres still inundated in Fazilka

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Fazilka, July 21

As many as 176 villages are still lying inundated due to heavy rain and release of water from the upstream in Fazilka district.

Sources said water from Muktsar was released in Abohar and Jalalabad subdivisions, which resulted in waterlogging of 71,707 acres in Fazilka. With the sustained efforts of the administration, the authorities in Pakistan had opened flood gates on their side.

The residents said they were worried as the Meteorological Department has predicted more rain in the coming days.

Malkeet Singh, a resident of Retewali Bhaini village, said, “Residents of the border area always suffer. The authorities should immediately pump out stagnant water from the fields.” Sources said around 17 kutcha houses collapsed in the district.

Fazilka Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal said, “The situation is not so grim. Water is standing up to 2 to 3 ft in the fields. Twelve villages are more affected.”