Chandigarh: The flood situation in Punjab continues to remain grim with several districts still inundated. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s health deteriorated on Thursday, forcing him to cancel his visit to the flood-affected areas, where he was scheduled to be accompanied by AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal. Kejriwal later reached to meet the chief minister.
Large parts of Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Ferozepur remain under water as the Ravi and Sutlej rivers continue to overflow. Nearly 140 villages in Amritsar have been submerged. Taking note of the situation, the Supreme Court issued a notice to the Punjab government and directed it to submit a detailed report within three weeks. Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud observed, “We have not seen such rains and floods before.”
Flood situation remains grim in Punjab, SC issues notice to state government
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also arrived in Punjab to assess the situation. Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria received him at Amritsar airport and handed over a report on five flood-affected districts.
Meanwhile, floodwater from the Sutlej has reached across the border into Pakistan, submerging areas near a police post at Palla Megha village in Ferozepur. Authorities fear the embankment in the area could collapse.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a heavy rain alert for Mansa, Sangrur and Barnala districts, while light showers are expected in surrounding regions, posing fresh challenges to relief operations.
With rainfall easing, water levels have started receding in some areas, revealing widespread destruction. The Ravi river has caused the maximum damage this year, leaving behind thick layers of sand in homes and fields, threatening standing crops. Many kutcha houses have collapsed, walls have developed cracks, and roofs have caved in.
Officials said the water level of the Ravi river in Ramdas area of Amritsar has again started rising since last night, raising fresh concerns.
