PATIALA, August 6 — Authorities in Patiala district have issued an alert to more than a dozen villages near the Ghaggar river, warning them to stay vigilant as the water level touched the danger mark on Tuesday night.
The seasonal Ghaggar, notorious for overflowing during the monsoon, is once again threatening to flood the Rajpura, Ghanaur, and surrounding areas. The administration has asked villagers not to go near the riverbanks and to report emergencies immediately to the district control room at 0175-2350550.
“The alert was issued only after locals raised alarms that the water had almost reached bridge levels,” a villager said, alleging delayed action on the part of officials. “We’ve seen this happen in 2010 and again in 2023. Every second year, the river comes for us.”
Deputy Commissioner Preeti Yadav urged residents to remain calm and not fall for rumours. “The administration is closely monitoring the situation. Citizens must cooperate and alert us in case of any breach or flooding,” she said.
The Ghaggar river, which originates in the Shivalik Hills, swells rapidly after heavy rains in the hills and becomes a destructive force downstream in Punjab. Once considered a lifeline for farmers, the river is now viewed as a curse, owing to its unpredictable flooding and repeated devastation.
Flood-hit residents blame years of neglect and official inaction for the recurring nightmare. “Had governments taken preventive steps and strengthened embankments, this wouldn’t happen year after year,” said a resident of Ghanaur. Locals also highlighted the lack of coordination between Punjab and Haryana, both of which share responsibility for managing the Ghaggar’s course but often end up blaming each other.
Experts say flood control measures for the Ghaggar require major investment, including land acquisition for embankments, which has stalled planning for decades. With no comprehensive inter-state flood management policy, the villagers are left to face the river’s wrath on their own — year after year.
