Rain hampers rescue op in Sultanpur Lodhi 

Incessant rain for the past over 24 hours has aggravated the flood situation at Sultanpur Lodhi, with the water level  of the Beas river on Tuesday rising to 1.60 lakh cusecs from 1.40 lakh cusecs.

For much of the day, flood relief measures remained suspended as heavy rains coupled with strong winds made it difficult for boats to ply safely. However, some relief and rescue work was caried out by teams of the administration.

An estimated 40 to 50 villages in Kapurthala have been affected by floods. The administration has started evacuating villagers amid damage to walls and foundations of several houses due to rain. Villagers said several houses at Baupur and other villages faced imminent collapse if water did not recede soon.

Fearing such an eventuality, Jagjit Singh shifted his family out of Baupur. His relatives sent their famlies to safer places. "The wall of my house is about to fall due to incessant rain. We are having sleepless nights. Two of our children were rescued by motor boats today and shifted to Mehmedwal village. My brother, sister-in-law and their kids have moved to Sultanpur Lodhi town. My father has moved with the cattle to Passan Kadim village. It's difficult to shift belongings from the house until the rains stop," he said.

Paramjit Singh, a resident of Baupur village, who has been carrying out relief efforts, said: "The CM as well as three ministers have already visited the flood-hit areas. However, we've no relief from the constantly rising waters as yet."

Drainage Department SDO Khushminder Singh said: "The water level has risen to 1.60 lakh cusecs today at the Dhilwan guage. At least 60,000 cusecs of water was released from the Pong Dam. Rain and other elements will play a key role in how fast water recedes."

Kapurthala DC Amit Kumar Panchal said, "The water level has increased amid the rains for the past two days. The relief and rescue operations are on."