CHANDIGARH, Aug. 26 — Large parts of Punjab remained on high alert Monday as swollen rivers spilled into the plains, inundating farmland and disrupting daily life across several districts. Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Ferozepur and Fazilka were reported as the worst-hit areas, while schools in Jalandhar and Amritsar were ordered shut amid heavy rainfall.
Officials said the Ravi has emerged as a major concern in Gurdaspur, where the river’s inflow surged due to incessant rainfall upstream. At Makora Pattan, the water level touched 2.50 lakh cusecs Monday morning, forcing the district administration to step up emergency preparedness.
The Beas and Sutlej confluence at Harike also saw water levels rise sharply, recording 2.34 lakh cusecs. Authorities warned that as the surge moves downstream toward Ferozepur and Fazilka, further inundation and evacuations may be required.
Civil officials in the affected districts have been placed on alert, with contingency plans for rescue and evacuation in low-lying areas. “We are closely monitoring the situation and will initiate evacuations if needed,” one official said.
The state government has directed ministers and senior officials to oversee relief measures on the ground. Harbhajan Singh ETO has been tasked with reviewing operations in Tarn Taran along with MLA Manjinder Singh Lalpura, while Barinder Goyal will visit flood-affected areas of Pathankot and Gurdaspur.
Meanwhile, continued rainfall in the Malwa belt and overflowing rivers in Majha and Doaba added to the strain, leaving villages cut off and farmland submerged. With inflows still rising, authorities urged residents to remain cautious and follow advisories.
