Devastating Floods Hit Punjab as Rivers Overflow

In the midst of heavy rainfall for the past three days, the state of Punjab is facing severe consequences as the Ghaggar and Sutlej rivers overflow, causing widespread destruction. In response to the situation, the government has taken the help of the State Disaster Response Force to provide assistance in rescue and relief operations. The overflowing rivers have submerged thousands of acres of crops across the state, adding to the already dire situation.

Among the districts affected, Ropar recorded the highest rainfall with 546 mm, followed by Mohali with 401.6 mm, Gurdaspur with 190.3 mm, Fatehgarh Sahib with 162.8 mm, and Pathankot with 150.1 mm. Apart from Ropar and Mohali, other severely impacted districts include Moga, Ludhiana, Patiala, and Sangrur. Disturbingly, three major breaches have been reported at the Narwana branch, Siswan rivulet, and Tiwana near Mohali. Additionally, minor breaches were identified in various locations, but the Irrigation Department managed to address and mend most of them. Some breaches in the Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal have also been reported, resulting in flooding in areas surrounding Rajpura. The excessive downstream flow of the Ghaggar and Sutlej rivers has caused the flooding in these neighboring regions.

The water level at the Bhankhapur gauge of the Ghaggar initially dropped to 11,555 cusecs in the morning, but later rose significantly to 1.22 lakh cusecs in the evening. As the river flowed towards Patiala, the water level reached 83,468 cusecs, leading to flooding in the district. However, as the water moved further towards Khanauri, the water level decreased to 8,350 cusecs.

Similarly, the flow of water into the Sutlej remained alarmingly high, reaching 1.81 lakh cusecs at the Ropar headworks. The river swelled even further at Phillaur, with the water level reaching 2.45 lakh cusecs, as 1.30 lakh cusecs of water from the Siswan, Swan, Sirsa, Budhki, and Sangrao rivers merged into the Sutlej. Consequently, a near-flood-like situation has emerged in Nawanshahr and parts of Ludhiana district.

Authorities are closely monitoring the water level as it continues downstream towards Harike Pattan and Hussainiwala. At these locations, the water level has reached 67,201 cusecs and 47,556 cusecs, respectively.