Army troops are conducting rescue operations in the Ramdass-Ajnala area of Amritsar district, where about 40 villages are submerged. Soldiers used Army vehicles to evacuate people stranded in their houses.
The overflowing water of the Ravi entered their houses after the dhussi bandh near the river collapsed. The number of inundated villages in the Ramdass-Ajnala area has doubled since Wednesday.
The district administration, police, National Disaster Relief Force, Border Security Force and state agencies also assisted the Army in rescue and relief operations. Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney, ADC Rohit Gupta and SSP Maninder Singh reached the area, along with the Army, at around 4 am on Thursday to supervise the rescue operations. The police made announcements from speakers, urging people to move to safer places as the water level rose alarmingly.
With Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers and seasonal rivulets in spate, the flood situation is grim in Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur and Hoshiarpur districts as well. Amphibious all-terrain vehicles (ATORs) and boats were deployed to rescue stranded people in Amritsar, Pathankot and Gurdaspur districts after navigating through the deep water and rugged terrain. The deployment of these special mobility vehicles has enabled the Army to ensure timely assistance and save lives.
The Punjab government has mobilised its entire Cabinet to the affected districts to oversee relief operations and ensure the safety of residents. Cabinet ministers are actively monitoring the distribution of essential supplies, managing evacuation efforts and addressing the immediate needs of flood- displaced people.
Three Madhopur headworks floodgates washed away
Three floodgates of the 150-year-old Madhopur headworks were washed away as 2.12 lakh cusecs of water reached there after heavy rain in the Ravi’s catchment area in Jammu. The authorities had requisitioned 90 people from all over the state to open some of the 54 floodgates on Wednesday evening, but several feet high silt deposits impeded the exercise. As the water level continued to rise and three workers on duty at the gates fell in the overflowing water, the operation was called off and 60 workers were airlifted by the Army. A chargeman who fell into the water is still missing.
BSF outposts flooded
Flood water has also inundated various BSF border outposts along the India-Pakistan border. “BSF soldiers are on high alert, especially in areas where the fencing is completely submerged,” said an official. BSF officials said they were also organising medical camps for residents of affected villages.
65 trains cancelled
Railway officials said 65 trains have been cancelled due to floods and helpdesks have been set up at Pathankot, Ludhiana, Jalandhar Cantt, Jalandhar City and Amritsar to provide information to the stranded passengers.
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