Punjab and Haryana focus on restoration efforts as floodwaters recede
Chandigarh, July 16: Following the receding floodwaters in Punjab and Haryana, authorities have begun their efforts to restore electricity, resume regular water supply, and repair damaged infrastructure in the affected areas. The focus remains on providing relief and addressing breaches in earthen embankments along the Sutlej and Ghaggar rivers.
Authorities are actively engaged in relief work in various locations, including Sangrur and Patiala districts in Punjab, while also addressing breaches in dhussi bundhs along the Ghaggar river. Punjab's Education Minister, Harjot Singh Bains, announced the reopening of schools from July 17 after their temporary closure due to the flooding.
ਕੱਲ ਸੋਮਵਾਰ 17 ਜੁਲਾਈ 2023 ਤੋਂ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਸਕੂਲ ਆਮ ਵਾਂਗ ਖੁੱਲਣਗੇ।
ਸੂਬੇ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਡਿਪਟੀ ਕਮਿਸ਼ਨਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਨਿਰਦੇਸ਼ ਦਿੱਤੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ ਕਿ ਉਹ ਪੰਚਾਇਤ, ਸਿੱਖਿਆ, ਸਥਾਨਕ ਸਰਕਾਰ, ਸਿੰਚਾਈ, ਲੋਕ ਨਿਰਮਾਣ ਤੇ ਜਾਂ ਹੋਰਨਾਂ ਵਿਭਾਗਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਤਾਲਮੇਲ ਕਰਕੇ ਇਹ ਯਕੀਨੀ ਬਣਾਉਣਗੇ ਕਿ ਸਰਕਾਰੀ/ਏਡਿਡ/ਮਾਨਤਾ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਅਤੇ ਪ੍ਰਾਈਵੇਟ ਸਕੂਲਾਂ… — Harjot Singh Bains (@harjotbains) July 16, 2023
Both Punjab and Haryana experienced heavy downpours last week, resulting in the disruption of normal life and extensive flooding of residential and agricultural areas. The states reported a combined death toll of 55, with 29 fatalities in Punjab and the rest in Haryana.
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To ensure the safety of residents, over 25,000 people have been evacuated from waterlogged regions in Punjab, while more than 5,300 individuals have been relocated in Haryana. The floods have affected 14 districts in Punjab and 13 districts in Haryana.
The health department has been directed to take preventive measures to control the outbreak of diseases in the affected areas, with medical camps established to provide necessary care and distribute medicines.
Efforts are underway to repair the damage caused by the floods. The water level at the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana's Yamunanagar was recorded at 54,282 cusecs. In Punjab's Mansa district, a 40-ft breach along the Ghaggar River near Chandpura bundh has led to water entering fields in Gorakhnath village, with concerns of further inundation in neighboring villages. Fatehabad district in Haryana has also experienced extensive flooding in agricultural fields due to the rising Ghaggar river.
Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney of Patiala stated that efforts are underway to restore drinking water supply, electricity, and damaged infrastructure in the region. Expressing gratitude to the public for their patience and cooperation, Sawhney emphasized the gradual return to normalcy.
In Sangrur, the Moonak and Khanauri areas have been severely affected, with the Ghaggar River causing widespread inundation. Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Bram Shanker Jimpa announced the release of Rs 10 crore for repairing pipes, motors, tubewells, and ensuring the resumption of drinking water supply.
In Punjab, a total of 164 relief camps have been established, providing shelter to 3,331 affected individuals. Additionally, 1,390 villages across 14 districts have been impacted by the floods. In Haryana, 5,399 people have been evacuated from 1,385 affected villages, with 32 relief camps providing shelter to 2,494 individuals. The floods have resulted in the destruction of 1.60 lakh hectares of agricultural land in the state.
Authorities in Punjab and Haryana are working diligently to restore normalcy in flood-affected regions. As they focus on rehabilitation and reconstruction, the collective efforts of the government and public cooperation are crucial in overcoming the challenges posed by the recent floods.
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- With inputs from agencies
