Punjab rain fury: Patiala, Sangrur, Ludhiana, Moga among 15 worst flood-hit districts as Sutlej, Ghaggar overflow

Sukhmeet Bhasin

Chandigarh, July 15

Floodwaters have started receding with relief efforts continuing after incessant rains caused havoc in maximum areas of Punjab.

According to official data, 19 people have died in rain-related incidents in the state.

Over 22,000 people have been moved to safety from waterlogged localities in various flood-hit districts of Punjab.

Fifteen districts –– Patiala, Moga, Ludhiana, Mohali, Jalandhar, Sangrur, Pathankot, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Fatehgarh Sahib, Hoshiarpur, Fazilka, Mansa, Rupnagar and SBS Nagar – have been affected in Punjab.

The Ghaggar flooded Mohali, Patiala and wreaked havoc in Sangrur, and today morning two breaches were reported in it in Mansa district.

Sutlej and its tributaries overflowed and its water submerged crops and entered houses in Ropar, Anandpur Sahib, Moga, Ferozepur, Jalandhar, Nawanshahr, Fazilka, Ludhiana and Tarn Taran. Hoshiarpur district also remained affected.

Several khuds (rivulets) flowing from Himachal Pradesh into Punjab such as Swan, Lohund, Lotan, Sarsa and Kundlu were also overfilled than its capacities.

The river’s embankments in Rorki village of Sardulgarh sub-division and near Chandpura Dam in Budhlada sub-division gave way on the Punjab side, leading to panic in several villages of Mansa district; strong flow of water delays efforts to plug breaches.