Chandigarh: Incessant rains in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh have triggered severe flooding in Punjab, leaving a trail of devastation across the state. Rising water levels in the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers have engulfed seven districts, while several others remain under threat.
Thousands of residents from hundreds of villages have been rendered homeless and were shifted to safer locations by the administration. Farmers have suffered massive losses as thousands of acres of crops were submerged. The Punjab government has urged residents of villages situated along riverbanks to remain on alert.
The situation worsened on Wednesday after the Ravi river overflowed, inundating several villages in Amritsar district, including parts of Ajnala. Officials said the water level at Ranjit Sagar Dam crossed the danger mark of 527.91 metres, forcing authorities to continue releasing water. On Tuesday, 1.95 lakh cusecs of water was discharged from the dam, with further releases expected today.
In addition, water is also being released from Bhakra and Pong dams, further intensifying the flood threat. Authorities confirmed that the flood situation remains critical in Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, and Fazilka districts.
