Two siblings swept away by floodwaters near Phagwara

Two siblings lost their lives after being swept away by floodwaters near Phagwara on Saturday, highlighting the dangers posed by recent heavy rains in Punjab. The deceased were identified as 37-year-old Sandeep Kumar and his 27-year-old sister, Preeti, both residents of Ucha village.

According to police and eyewitness accounts, the siblings were on their way to Ranipur to buy medicines when their bicycle got stuck at a culvert between Dugga and Jagpalpur. They lost their balance and fell into the strong current. Despite efforts by local residents to rescue them, both were declared dead upon arrival at Civil Hospital in Phagwara.

Family members said Sandeep, a daily wage labourer, was accompanying his ailing sister for treatment. He is survived by a young son. Local MLA Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal visited the hospital to meet the grieving family. SDM Phagwara, Jashanjit Singh, also rushed to the local civil hospital and stated that both bodies were handed over to their families after a postmortem examination was conducted.

SHO Major Singh of the Rawalpindi police station said that statements from the family members have been recorded, and necessary proceedings are in progress.