Punjab floods: rising Ghaggar waters inundate Patiala villages, fresh alerts issued
The authorities in Patiala's Rajpura, Patran, and Samana have advised residents to evacuate low-lying areas.
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Alerts were also issued for villages near Jhamboo choe, a stream that flows into the Ghaggar river. (Source: File)Despite a halt in rain in Punjab, Patiala residents’ woes are worsening as floodwater continues to spread from the Ghaggar river and its tributaries. Water entered lanes in more than 20 villages of the Ghanaur block Thursday, leaving residents anxious about a further rise in levels.
Authorities have issued a series of alerts for the Rajpura, Patran and Samana areas. In Rajpura tehsil, the rising level of the Pachhidra stream has prompted warnings to residents of adjoining villages, especially those on the Chitkara University side, to shift to safer or higher places.
Alerts were also issued for villages near Jhamboo choe, a stream that flows into the Ghaggar river. This was done after the gates at the Sangrur barrage were closed to prevent possible backflow from the Ghaggar, which caused the choe to overflow.
Residents in Kheri Nagaiyan, Sihal, Baras, Dhoohar, Dugal Kalan, Dugal Khurd, Hariao Khurd, Hariao Kalan, Selwala and Khanewal have been advised to stay cautious.
In Patran, the situation is bleak. Continuous local downpours and waterlogging in fields, coupled with the Ghaggar touching danger level at Badshahpur village, have forced authorities to urge residents of Harchandpura, Badshahpur, Arnetu, Rasoli, Shutrana, Jogeval, Gulahad, Paind, Sadharanpur and Siuna to vacate their homes and move to safer places. The district administration has set up relief centres.
Meanwhile, political voices have started questioning the preparedness of the state. Jaspal Singh Bhangu, Patiala district president of the BJP, alleged negligence: “Farmers were not allowed to take mud from their own fields alongside Ghaggar, and no effort was made to clean the drains or tributaries. The result is visible before all — these are man-made floods that have ruined Punjab’s villages.”
The Army has also been roped in. Two columns have been stationed in the Devigarh area to assist with evacuation and relief. According to official estimates, nearly 1,500 acres of agricultural fields were already underwater by Wednesday evening.
Gurmeet Singh, a farmer at Chamaru village of Ghanaur constituency, said, “Water has entered a few low-lying houses as well; otherwise, more than 2 feet of water is in the lanes. They did not repair the broken embankments in 2023, and we are suffering again.”
However, information revealed that the water level at Bhankarpur in Mohali was 10 feet Thursday morning, and it has dropped to half that amount. So farmers are expecting that the water is likely to recede from villages in a few hours.
For emergency assistance, residents can contact the following control rooms:
Rajpura: 01762-224132
Patran: 01764-243403
Samana: 01764-221190
District Control Room, Patiala: 0175-2350550, 2358550.
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