Punjab orders closure of schools in several districts as flood crisis worsens, Fazilka residents on alert as more water to be released

Several acres of farmland are lying submerged, forcing villagers living in low-lying areas to move to safer locations, while pregnant women from villages along the Sutlej creek in Fazilka were shifted to safety on Monday, officials said.

Another 2.20 lakh cusecs to be released from Hussainiwala headworks

Meanwhile, Fazilka Deputy Commissioner Amarpreet Kaur Sandhu has issued an urgent alert to residents of villages located across the Sutlej creek in the district, warning them of a significant rise in water levels. She stated that 2,20,000 cusecs of water will be released from the Hussainiwala Headworks, which will further increase the water level in Fazilka in the coming hours.

Heavy rain continues to batter the border district of Fazilka, which has already been struggling with the flood-like situation for the past 20 days.

The situation is expected to worsen as heavy rainfall continues in the catchment areas of the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers.

The rainfall in the hills is adding to the inflow, and this is being compounded by additional water releases from the Bhakra, Pong, and Ranjit Sagar dams, officials said.

On Monday, 1.70 lakh cusecs of water were released from Harike headworks at Ferozepur.

The Fazilka administration has set up five relief centers to accommodate affected residents.

Amarpreet Kaur Sandhu claimed that while water has not yet entered the inhabited areas of the villages, these areas are surrounded by floodwaters, posing a serious risk. Residents, especially children, have been strictly advised to stay away from waterlogged areas.

For any assistance or information, people can contact the district-level flood control room at 01638-262153.

24-hour security watches

The Fazilka administration has ordered round-the-clock ‘thikri pehras’ (community night watches) in vulnerable Fazilka villages.

Sandhu on Tuesday directed residents of 20 villages along the Sutlej river to organise 24-hour security watches to monitor any breach of the river. She said the measure is also necessary to prevent any anti-social elements from taking advantage of the situation. The police personnel will remain on continuous vigil in the affected areas, she added.

The Fazilka villages under watch include Mohar Jamsher, Teja Ruhela, Chak Ruhela, Dona Nanka, Dhani Laabh Singh, Mahatam Nagar, Ram Singh Bhaini, Jhangar Bhaini, Rete Wali Bhaini, Gatti Number 1, Walle Shah Hithaar (Gulaba Bhaini), Dhani Sadda Singh, Guddar Bhaini, Ghurka, Dhani Mohna Ram, Walle Shah Utaar (Noorshah), Diyan Dhanian, Mohar Khiva, Mohar Sona, Mohar Khiva Bhawani, and Rete Wali Dhani.

“All residents must immediately inform the nearest police station or area Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDM) if they notice any breach in Sutlej bridges, water channels or canals,” the order stated.

The DC further announced that all schools in these villages will remain closed from August 26 to August 28, though staff have been directed to report to duty. Students with scheduled exams during these dates will have to appear as usual, the order said.

Similarly, Ferozepur Deputy Commissioner Deepshikha Sharma has ordered the closure of government schools in 12 flood-affected villages, including Aalewala, Araji Sabhran, Dheerakara, Nihala Lavera, Kale Ke Hithar, Kamalwala Muthianwala, Kaluwala, Nihalewala, Khunder Gatti, Behram Sher Singh, and Dhani Gurmukh Singh. She has instructed the education department to shift staff to safer schools and conduct online classes for affected students.

As per reports, nearly nine Punjab districts — Ferozepur, Fazilka, Ropar, Kapurthala, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, and Hoshiarpur — are battling flood-like conditions following heavy rainfall in the hills and plains, coupled with excess water release from Bhakra and Nangal dams.