Fazilka, August 25: With the Sutlej swelling after the release of 1.70 lakh cusecs of water from Harike Headworks, the district administration in Fazilka on Monday urged residents of several flood-prone villages to evacuate and move to safer places.
Officials used public address systems in nearly a dozen villages along the Sutlej creek, warning residents of the danger and advising women, children, and the elderly to shift immediately to relief shelters.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Mandeep Kaur said evacuation teams have been deployed to ensure people are moved safely. “Our priority is to safeguard lives. Teams are assisting residents in shifting to designated camps,” she noted.
Authorities said five relief camps have been established in government schools across Mauzam, Asafwala, Salemshah, and Hasta Kalan, as well as at Sant Kabir Polytechnic College in Fazilka. Food, bedding, and medical aid have been arranged at these locations.
The administration has also placed the Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and Border Security Force (BSF) on alert to assist with rescue and relief efforts if required.
According to officials in the Deputy Commissioner’s office, low-lying and border areas face a heightened risk of flooding, prompting the precautionary evacuation advisory.
