Fazilka villagers refuse to move out even as HP rains push up Sutlej level

Announcements for evacuation are being made from gurdwaras in Fazilka. “Announcements were made in Ferozepur villages as well. We started making announcements on August 14, when rain caused devastation in Himachal Pradesh, as we knew that excess water would be released from the dams. However, people refused to budge and now we are rescuing many through boats,” said Rajesh Dhiman, deputy commissioner of Ferozepur.

The affected villages in Ferozepur are mainly Kaluwala, Ruknewala, Nihala Lavera, Gatti Rajoke, Gatti Rahim Ke, Tendiwala. Tendiwala is the last village towards the Pakistan border in the district. “Water had hardly receded from our villages after the flood fury in July and now it has come again,” said Mukhtiar Singh, from Tendiwala. In July he fractured his hip when he had gone to check the water level in the Sutlej and was hit by a wild boar that suddenly came out of nowhere.

NGOs distributed relief material a number of times in the border villages in July. The villages of Teja Ruhela, Dona Nanka, Mahatam Nagar, Mohar Jamsher, Kawanwali Pul, Ratte Wali Bhaini, Mand Patti, Guddar Bhaini, Jhangar Bhaini, Dhani Sadda Singh were among those affected then in Fazilka district.

In Dona Nanka, announcements were made on Friday morning, but no one wanted to move out. Sukhmander Singh, a resident of Mahatam Nagar, said, “In July too, more than 2 lakh cusecs water came. Only agricultural land or low-lying areas were flooded, so we think that we will manage. We live near the Sutlej and have grown up on its banks. We will decide the rest as per the situation.”

Even in July, around 22 villages were affected but residents of only 18 of them moved to relief camps. “Village houses have been made at a higher level. No doubt the low-lying houses built near the agriculture fields will be affected, but we are taking a chance,” said a farmer from Fazilka.

The number of relief camps in Fazilka has been increased from five to eight. Eight members of a family have shifted to one camp. A few others have gone to their relatives’ houses. The rest are camping in the villages, deputy commissioner Senu Kapila Duggal told The Indian Express.

Rescue underway in Ferozepur

As in Fazilka, villages along the Sutlej in Ferozepur district become islands when floodwater surrounds them from all corners and boats become the only accessible means of transport.

Though rescue operations are underway in Ferozepur, residents complain about the slow evacuation process and say that boats are hard to come by even as the water is more than 8 feet high in some areas.

BJP leader Sukhpal Singh Nannu said, “We are going to the villages with tubes and other stuff to take the villagers out. The administration is missing in action and hardly responding to people’s calls. Water has surrounded all the villages, fields and roads. It is like sitting on an island with water all around you and no power and drinking water.”

Fazilka Deputy Commissioner Duggal said, “We are expecting the radius of affected villages to increase after looking at the condition of Ferozepur villages. Villagers indulge in a blame game once water surrounds them, but they are not moving out now. Water is expected to enter Fazilka villages by late on Friday night.”

15 trains cancelled

Because the water level in the Sutlej has risen above the danger mark at the Makhu-Gidderpindi bridge, 15 trains between Ferozepur, Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur have been cancelled and four trains diverted for Friday, according to the Ferozepur railway division.