Sutlej erosion renders four Shahkot families homeless

Days after flooding in the Sutlej led to severe erosion of its embankment and washed away portions of land where houses had been built, tragedy struck Mandala Channa village in Shahkot subdivision. Four houses belonging to daily wage labourers were reduced to rubble two days ago.

The houses belonged to four brothers -- Channa Singh, Sona Singh, Jagdish Singh and late Prem Singh -- whose families are now displaced and distraught. They have currently taken temporary shelter at the residence of village sarpanch Satnam Singh.

“These families have lost everything. We are doing what we can, but the damage is extensive,” said Satnam Singh. A team of officials from the district administration visited the site to assess the damage.

The emotional toll on the children has been severe. Many are struggling to cope and are refusing to return to school. “They watched their houses collapse. Now that’s all they can think about,” said Channa Singh, whose children, aged 14 and 16, are yet to come to the terms. “Their teachers have asked me to send them, but their minds are stuck on what they’ve lost,” he added. Twelve-year-old Manish Kumar is among those affected. “His bicycle broke when the house fell. He used to ride it to school every day,” a relative said.

Expressing her helplessness, Manjit Kaur, wife of Sona Singh, said, “My children keep asking about the tragedy. I don’t know what to tell them.” Manjit, who worked at a local beauty parlour, added, “I’ve stopped going now. Whatever little I was earning, even that is gone.”

Prakash Kaur, widow of Prem Singh, talked about her struggles as a single mother. “My husband died 20 years ago. I raised my son alone. He is studying hotel management, but he has started skipping classes. He says he is unable to concentrate on his studies.”

Swaran Kaur, wife of Jagdish Singh, highlighted their financial strain. “We took a Rs 50,000 loan for our daughter’s wedding. Now, with no home and no work, repaying it seems impossible,” she said.

The Drainage Department, with the support of the Army, local community volunteers and residents, has been working for several days to strengthen the damaged embankment. A senior Jalandhar administration official confirmed that the process to access the damage was underway. He said, “The families will be provided compensation as per government norms.”