Relocate to relief centre, Kapurthala admn urges residents of mand areas

The Kapurthala administration on Thursday urged residents of low-lying mand areas to shift to a relief centre set up at a government school in Lakh Varhian village near Sultanpur Lodhi.

Teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have also been deployed to evacuate people from affected villages.

Three rescue boats are operating in the area, assisting in the transportation of people and the delivery of essential supplies to those still stranded.

This comes as the Beas has inundated vast swathes of land after a surge in its water levels due to heavy rainfall in the river’s catchment areas in neighbouring Himachal Pradesh.

According to the Agriculture Department and district officials, over 5,000 acres had submerged under water in over 15 villages in Sultanpur Lodhi. At several places, the floodwaters have risen as high as six feet, leaving no trace of the standing paddy crop.

A statement said the Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) has been appointed as the overall incharge of the relief operations. She will be stationed at Sultanpur Lodhi.

The relief centre has ample supplies of dry ration, drinking water and medicines. Medical teams have also been deployed to provide immediate healthcare assistance, if required.

Deputy Commissioner Amit Kumar Panchal requested residents of low-lying mand region to relocate to the centre, saying the administration was committed to ensure the safety and well-being of all affected persons.

For assistance, they can contact at 01822-231990.

Senior officials from the drainage, revenue, health and animal husbandry departments have also been told to remain stationed at Sultanpur Lodhi.

The Drainage Department has been asked to maintain continuous monitoring of the dhussi embankments — earthen barriers constructed parallel to the river — to prevent breaches.