CHANDIGARH: Punjab Water Resources Minister Mr. Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria on Monday visited Ropar Head Works and Phillaur to assess the flood like situation due to incessant rain in the state.
During Ropar Head Works visit, Mr. Sarkaria directed officials that due to torrential rains, the water inflow has risen in the Sutlej for which continuous monitoring of changing situation has to be done. He said that water is being released in a planned manner from the head works. Today morning the water inflow into Sutlej slightly reduced. The Minister said that the maximum cumulative effect of all the release upstream was experienced at Ropar Barrage at 11.00 am yesterday and a peak outflow of 2, 40, 930 cusecs was recorded which is the second highest flow which has safely passed from Ropar Barrage. The Ropar administration has divided the district in five clusters for rescue and relief operations.
Subsequently, the Minister visited Bholewal village near Phillaur, where the swollen Sutlej river breached the Dhussi bundh and inundated fields of villages Bholewal, Meowal and Mau Sahib. Taking stock of the situation, the Minister instructed the authorities concerned to make all necessary arrangements to tackle the situation and also to ensure the safety of life and properties of the people.
Assuring all possible help, he said that those affected by flooding should be provided immediate relief. On receipt of information, immediately the action should be initiated and any laxity would not be tolerated in this regard. Interacting with the affected people, the Minister said that Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh led Punjab Government is on action mode to tackle the situation and relief works is being done on the mission mode.
He was accompanied by Principal Secretary Water Resources Department Mr. Sarvjit Singh, Chief Engineer Canal Mr. Jagmohan Singh Mann, Chief Engineer Drainage Mr. Sanjeev Kumar Gupta, concerned SEs and other staff of Water Resources Department.