Ropar, July 22 — A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team is stationed in Nangal town of Ropar district for five days to familiarise its personnel with the flood-prone plains of the Sutlej river and its tributaries. The visit, which began on July 21, includes reconnaissance, community outreach, and a mock drill.
Deputy Commissioner Varjeet Singh Walia said the team is assessing the vulnerability of the region as part of its preparedness plan. “The NDRF team will carry out a mock drill in Nangal on Tuesday and hold awareness programmes for the public and schoolchildren to build resilience against disaster scenarios,” he told media.
Ropar is home to major flood plains fed by the Sutlej, which though controlled to a degree by the Bhakra and Nangal dams, still sees dangerous surges during monsoons due to uncontrolled tributaries like the Swan and Sirsa rivers.
“These tributaries can swell beyond one lakh cusecs during heavy rainfall, often leading to flooding in low-lying areas,” officials said. After merging with the Sutlej in Ropar, they can also trigger downstream flooding below the Nangal dam.
District authorities remain on high alert this year amid persistent heavy rainfall in neighboring Himachal Pradesh. The influx has increased the risk for residents living along the banks of the Sutlej and its tributaries.
Sources said the NDRF’s current deployment is meant to ensure that its teams are well-versed with the terrain, enabling quicker and more effective response in the event of actual flooding.
