Shiromani Akali Dal seeks immediate relief for flood-affected Punjab people

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Monday demanded that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government should undertake flood relief measures immediately, saying the flooding of villages and fields along the Beas, Sutlej and Ravi rivers was resulting in tremendous hardships to people. SAD spokesperson Dr Daljit Singh Cheema said in a statement that both the Beas and the Sutlej rivers had wreaked havoc in Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Ferozepur and Fazilka districts. He said in Sultanpur Lodhi and adjoining areas, more than 25 villages had been inundated by the overflowing Beas waters. He said similarly more than 20 villages in the Mand area had been inundated by floodwaters.Dr Cheema said the Ravi had submerged agricultural lands in Gurdaspur due to the release of water from the Ujh river and the Ranjit Sagar dam. He said villages in the Dera Baba Nanak area had also been affected by floodwaters. He said the Ghaggar had also affected areas in Patiala even as floodwaters had entered Sardulgarh town. The SAD leader said reports of release of water from the Pong and Bhakra dams had led to inundation of fields in Hoshiarpur, Talwara and Hajipur.Asserting that the AAP government seemed oblivious to the grim situation which was unfolding in the state, Dr Cheema called for immediate relief measures. He said many deras had been cut off and their inhabitants should be provided with drinking water, food, medicines and fodder for milch animals. He also highlighted how stagnant water as well as disruption in power supply was leading to the rise of water-borne diseases. “Doctors and medical personnel should be deputed to such areas immediately,” he demanded.

He also called for undertaking preliminary girdwaris and releasing ad hoc compensation to farmers for the damage to the paddy crop, milch animals and houses.