Flood threat looms over Ludhiana as Sutlej puts villages at risk; Army and NDRF deployed
Relief camps and rescue centres being set up across district; residents urged to move to these safe zones if conditions deteriorate further
PTC Web Desk: A flood alert has been issued in Ludhiana East after rising water levels in the Sutlej River created a serious threat near the Rahon Road area. Officials fear that the embankment at village Sasarali may collapse at any moment. On Thursday, the strong current of the Sutlej had already eroded the soil between the river and the embankment, leaving the structure critically vulnerable.
Taking note of the situation, the Army and NDRF teams have been stationed near the embankment to prevent any disaster. Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma and Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain personally inspected the site, even sitting barefoot on the embankment late last evening.
To contain the possible damage, the authorities have begun constructing a 10-foot-high ring bund around 500 metres from the vulnerable point. The purpose of this secondary embankment is to divert the flow of floodwater away from the city in case the primary structure gives way.
If the embankment breaches, nearly 14 villages, including Sasarali, may face inundation. Low-lying areas of Ludhiana city such as Rahon Road, Tibba Road, Tajpur Road, Noorwala Road, and Samrala Chowk are also expected to be affected. Over 50,000 persons are estimated to be at risk.
The threat intensifies as the Bhakra Dam, which feeds the Sutlej, is already close to its danger mark. While the danger level is set at 1,680 feet, the current water level has reached 1,678.74 feet. To manage the inflow, four floodgates have been opened by 10 feet each. At present, the inflow into the dam stands at 76,318 cusecs, while the outflow has increased to 80,792 cusecs.
Administration issues safety advisories:
Stay alert and continuously monitor the situation.
Residents in two-storey houses should remain on the upper floor.
People living in single-storey or low-lying areas should shift to temporary safe shelters.
Keep important documents and essentials in waterproof bags for emergency evacuation.
Ensure elderly, children, and patients are moved to safety first.
Relief camps and rescue centres have been set up across the district, and residents have been urged to move to these safe zones if conditions deteriorate further. The district administration has assured that all possible preventive and rescue measures are being taken to safeguard lives.