10-ft stretch washed away

The area was already deemed risky after stone works at the site were washed away two days ago. Even though repair works were on at the bund for the last 20 days,nothing much could be done to strengthen the weak sites due to the water level.

The villagers have volunteered for the repair work and given their trolleys and tractors. Any further damage to this bund can affect the city areas of Ludhiana and threaten 17 villages surrounding it. DC Rahul Tiwari told Newsline that 35,000 cusecs of water has been released from Bhakra and the release will continue for a few days more,which is why extra vigil needs to be maintained at the 17 sensitive sites on the 100- km stretch of Sutlej in the district.

It needs to be mentioned that Rs 45 lakh had been sanctioned in June for urgent repair works at various sites,but the drainage department failed to take measures in time; raw materials had been purchased with this amount,but these were dumped in the open near the bund sites in various villages. “Had that repair been done well on time,the damage could have been averted,” said a villager at the site. Already,the bund site at Kherabet has been damaged twice,while at Madhepur,Kasabad and five other sites, repair works are still being carried out.

At the moment,only temporary relief works are being done with Rs 50 lakh emergency funds. Nirmal Singh,sarpanch of Garhi Fazli,said villagers from far off areas are offering voluntary help because they will be affected the most if the bund breaks. At the moment,the bund is being strengthened with sand bags and trees,and mud is being used to re-construct it.

Workers from the municipal corporation have also been deployed at the site. Zonal Commissioner Kuldeep Singh took stock of the situation at the site.