Harike Headworks releases 1.7L cusecs, Fazilka admn asks people to vacate low-lying villages by Sutlej Creek

According to officials, nearly 10,700 people, including 45 pregnant women, and 6,700 livestock are located in vulnerable villages along the creek, including Mohar Jamsher, Dona Nanka, Teja Ruhela, Chak Ruhela, Retewali Bhaini, Jhangar Bhaini, Dhani Santokh Singh and Dhani Sadda Singh.

However, the administration said that despite repeated appeals, villagers refused to evacuate, stating they faced similar situations in the past, too, and would move only if necessary.

Punjab Cabinet minister Dr Baljit Kaur, who visited these villages on Monday, directed authorities to shift pregnant women to safer places and ensure round-the-clock medical assistance.

Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA workers) have been asked to station in villages with pregnant women to provide emergency care and shift the women to the hospital, if required. However, no pregnant women have moved out of the village, so far, it is learnt.

The district administration, meanwhile, deployed boats for evacuation and activated the District Flood Control Room, which can be reached at 01638-262153.

Relief camps have been set up across the district, and teams from health, animal husbandry, water supply & sanitation, and revenue departments have been put on high alert, district administration officials said.

The administration is also ensuring feed for livestock and medical facilities for vulnerable groups, including lactating mothers and children, they said, adding 446 livestock and 1,120 people have so far been treated in these camps.

Dr Baljit and Fazilka MLA Narinder Pal Singh Sawna visited flood-prone villages Teja Ruhela and Chak Ruhela on Monday to distribute relief material and cattle feed.

They appealed to residents to prioritise their safety and move to safer places without delay, warning that the water level would rise when the released water reached the Sutlej Creek.

“The Punjab government is committed to providing all necessary assistance. Ration kits, green fodder and cattle feed are being distributed on priority,” Dr Baljit said.

Sawna said government teams would be working round-the-clock to tackle any situation.

Earlier in the day, Dr Baljit chaired a review meeting at the District Administrative Complex and directed officials to maintain utmost preparedness.

Meanwhile, adjoining villages in Ferozepur, including Kaluwala, Tendiwala and Muthianwala, have also been put on alert. However, sources said most families were still staying in their homes, while some were moving to their relatives’ houses in the same village.

According to information, residents living in about 150 houses in the fields in the Sutlej creek area of Sutlej vacated their houses and shifted to safer locations.

“Several families in 15 to 20 villages shifted their children and elders to safer locations. I, too, have sent my children and wife to Fazilka town to their relatives’ place. Pregnant women are also moving to safer places as the situation is grim,” said Sukhwinder Singh of Retewali Bhaini village.