Fazilka flood claimed 700 houses,2 lives

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dr S Karuna Raju,“We are yet to locate the families of the deceased. As of now,we are busy in removing the dead carcasses because they can cause an epidemic in the area. Water has started receding now,so health measures are more important. Already,medical camps are flooded with cases of skin ailments and mild fever.” The Ferozepur administration had spent around Rs 40 lakh from flood relief funds and will need another Rs 30 lakh,the DC added.

About three weeks ago,one bridge each has been washed away at Hazarewala and Gatti Rajoke. Though a temporary structure has been erected,it is unsafe. Balbir Singh,a resident of Churiwala village,said: “No one dares to walk on this structure. Construction on a new bridge had started about an year ago,but it is yet to be completed. Had the work been completed in time,we would not have suffered this much.”

The villagers either park their vehicles away from the bridge and walk for few kilometres to reach their destination or they take a boat. Jarnail Singh,another villager,said: “Every year,during the rainy season,our villages suffer the most and still do not have better infrastructure. The damage to these two bridges has affected the transportation in about 15 villages.” The affected villages included Chandiwala,Kamalewala,Rajoke,Bhakra,Khunderwala and Chinesinghwala Jhuge.

According to preliminary reports,27,000 acres of crop has been affected – the damage will be assessed in a week. Road network between 45 villages has also resulted in damage worth crores.

The villagers,meanwhile,are unhappy with the compensation they are being given for their loss.