Incessant rains over the last two days have intensified the flooding crisis in Kapurthala district, prompting evacuations in Ferozepur, particularly from riverside villages, according to officials. The Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers, along with seasonal rivulets, have swelled due to heavy rainfall in their catchment areas and the release of excess water from the Pong and Bhakra dams, exacerbating issues for villages in several Punjab districts. The flood situation in various Kapurthala villages worsened on Tuesday as the swollen Beas river inundated extensive farmland. In Ferozepur district, the downstream water level from Harike to Hussainiwala rose again following the rains, raising fears of flooding and keeping many villagers on alert.
Residents from villages like Kaluwala, Tendi Wala, Chandiwala, Gatti Rajo Ke, Navi Gatti Rajo Ke, and Basti Rahime Ke have begun relocating their belongings to safer locations, with many storing items on their rooftops. On Monday night, Additional Deputy Commissioner Damandeep Singh visited Tendiwala village and advised residents to evacuate. Kulwant Singh from Navi Gatti Rajo Ke expressed that local residents are living in fear of floods, stating, “We have started packing our important belongings and, if the water level rises further, we will have to move our families to safety. Several families have already moved items to their rooftops.” He added that his family has not slept well for several days.
Swarn Singh, from Kaluwala village, which is surrounded by the Sutlej river on three sides and Pakistan on the fourth, reported that his entire three-acre crop has been flooded. “In 2023, I faced significant financial loss, and now my crops are nearly destroyed as the water level continues to rise,” he lamented. Pritam Singh from Habib Ke village urged the administration to prioritize reinforcing the embankments along the Sutlej River. “It has been many years since these embankments were established. The administration needs to regularly assess and strengthen them to protect the people,” he stated, warning that any failure of the earthen embankment could lead to widespread flooding in the city and endanger thousands of lives.
Over the past two days, 45 mm of rain has been recorded in this border district. The city area is also facing challenges, with numerous roads submerged, creating significant inconvenience for commuters. Residents navigated knee-deep water in certain low-lying areas, while traffic moved slowly. The heavy rainfall disrupted daily activities, leading some schools to close early to ensure children’s safety. In Kapurthala district, many villages and low-lying areas in Sultanpur Lodhi have been grappling with flooding for several days, and the recent persistent rains have further aggravated the situation.
