As swollen Beas submerges fields, Punjab farmers fear 2023 repeat

In addition to Kapurthala, several villages along the Beas and Sutlej rivers in Hoshiarpur, Fazilka, Ferozepur and Tarn Taran districts in Punjab were also affected because of swollen rivers and rivulets in the wake of heavy rains in catchment areas, the official said.

As agricultural fields in affected areas remained submerged, farmers fear heavy losses due to crop damage, with some estimating it to be as much as was caused during the floods in 2023.

The rising water levels in Bhakra and Pong dams triggered panic among farmers in Ferozepur and Fazilka, where nearly 30 villages have already seen their crops submerged. At 11 am, the water level in Bhakra dam touched 1,665 feet, with an inflow of 66,000 cusecs against an outflow of 32,000 cusecs. The Pong dam recorded 1,383 feet, with an inflow of 84,000 cusecs and discharge of 66,000 cusecs.

Notably, after a gap of two years, the Bhakra Dam authorities on Tuesday opened its floodgates to release 45,000 cusecs of water following a steady rise in the reservoir level. The water was being released in a controlled manner, officials said, adding it was a precautionary move. At 3 pm, water was discharged — 38,000 cusecs through turbines and 7,000 cusecs via the spillway, they said.

According to a senior Bhakra Beas Management Board functionary, there is a forecast of heavy rainfall later this week in parts of Himachal Pradesh and the dam’s catchment areas. To ensure safety and prevent sudden flooding, the release is being carried out in a phased manner.

The official said, “If inflows continue to remain high, more water will be released with prior intimation to partner states.”

Bhakra’s floodgates were last opened on August 13, 2023, when water levels touched 1672 ft, close to the dam’s maximum capacity of 1680.82 ft. Then, about 8,000 cusecs were released through the gates as part of a trial run, in addition to turbine discharges.

In the downstream areas, fields in several villages have remained under water for the past many days. “We are recalling the 2023 floods the way water level in Sutlej is rising. My one acre of paddy has been inundated for days and cannot be saved now,” said Sukhjinder Singh, a farmer from Retewali Bhaini village in Fazilka. He added that a large portion of the affected farmland falls in the riverbed zone, for which farmers have not received compensation in 2023 as the river bed land is not in farmers’ name.

The demand for compensation has also intensified. “Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had promised to take up the issue before the 2022 polls.
But in 2023, his government backed out. The few farmers who got aid received only Rs 6,800 per acre. The government must wake up to farmers’ woes,” said Baljinder Singh Babbu, former sarpanch of Hussainiwala in Ferozepur.

Local residents warned of bigger dangers if preventive measures were not taken. “The roads damaged in the 2023 floods have not been repaired, nor has the dhussi bundh been strengthened. If more water comes, our villages will face huge destruction. Already crops are submerged, only houses are left,” said Iqbal Singh Mallah, nambardar of Muthianwala, Jamabega and Balamega villages of Ferozepur district.

Meanwhile, in Chandigarh, Punjab Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal presided over a virtual meeting Tuesday to review the flood situation and directed officials to maintain vigil along all river embankments. He said that incessant rainfall in neighbouring Himachal Pradesh has resulted in elevated water levels across Punjab’s river systems, necessitating heightened alert.

The minister issued directions to the deputy commissioners of the affected districts to ensure strict round-the-clock surveillance along river embankments within their jurisdictions.

An official statement said DCs briefed Goyal about the current status of the flood-affected areas. He directed officials to deploy monitoring teams at strategic locations along vulnerable stretches.

Goyal told officials to set up adequate relief camps equipped with essential facilities, including food and medical assistance, for displaced people.

With ENS, Chandigarh and PTI