CM reviews situation in flood-hit districts

CHANDIGARH: Pakistan released polluted water of its tanneries near the international border into the Sutlej on Saturday night, raising the river’s level and damaging the embankment along the water body near Tendiwala village in Ferozepur district.The river crisscrosses the international border before entering the neighbouring country in Fazilka disrict. The tanneries, according Ferozepur deputy commissioner Chander Gaind, are located in Gandha Singh Wala village of Pakistan and the water released into the Sutlej from there through drains. At Tendiwala, the river re-enters India. Alarmed by the situation, in a meeting called to review the overall flood situation in Punjab on Sunday, chief minister Amarinder Singh directed the state water resources department to work out an action plan with the Army to strengthen the embankment.Earlier, on getting to know of the rise in the Sutlej's water level, the district administration worked in coordination with the Army, state irrigation and drainage departments, and locals to repair damage caused by Pakistan’s move. At the time this story was filed, the embankment had been repaired and the Sutlej’s water level near Tendiwala had receded. However, there were concerns over the health hazards that the polluted water could pose to locals. MLA Rana Gurjit Singh has also sought a report on the damages caused from the DC in 15 days.In the review meeting, the CM directed principal secretary (water resources) to ensure strengthening of Tendiwala embankment on a warfooting to avert flooding of nearby villages in case a similar situation arose in future. He also directed Gaind to keep the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams on standby. In Tendiwala, Gaind said the administration would leave no stone unturned to strengthen the embankment. He said the administration had also ordered announced evacuation in most sensitive villages to combat any kind flood-like situation. He said a large number of gunny bags full of sand had been put in the damaged area of the embankment to repair the loss.Meanwhile, Gaind informed the CM, during the review meeting, that nearly 500 persons in 15 flood-hit villages in Makhu and Hussaniwala area had been evacuated to safer places and about 630 persons had been given medical aid. Also, 950 food packets had been distributed, and adequate arrangements made for supply of feed and fodder to livestock. The DC said the water returning from Pakistan was two times the amount of water which flowed out of India.Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh was on Sunday informed that 1,689 people in Ferozepur district, who had been affected by the recent floods, were treated by mobile health teams.Another 655 patients were treated at OPDs by these teams, and about 4,600 persons visited medical camps in flood-affected areas. In all, 31 persons had been evacuated to the nearby relief camps. The CM was given this information during a meeting called to review the situation in flood-hit Ferozepur, Jalandhar , Kapurthala and Ropar districts.In Kapurthala district, the CM was informed that there was no loss of human life and cattl,e and the district administration had constituted 20 village-wise flood- relief teams. Kapurthala deputy commissioner said 1,415 persons were given requisite treatment, with veterinary care provided to 640 cattle heads. He said the distribution of dry ration packets and other relief material was also going on in full swing.Ropar deputy commissioner said water level in flooded fields of the district had, by and large, receded. Nearly 500 persons had been evacuated, and drinking water and power supply had been restored in flood-affected villages. About 3,300 persons had been provided medical aid in 13 permanent and 22 mobile camps, and three ambulances pressed into service to provide emergency healthcare services.The CM also directed the DCs of Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Ferozepur, Ropar and SBS Nagar to chalk out a detailed programme to initiate the process of assessing damage to crops and infrastructure in flood-hit areas.The has already written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking a special package of Rs 1,000 crore to address losses resulting from the floods in Punjab. According to preliminary estimates, the state has suffered damages to the tune of Rs 1,700 crore due to floods. The Union home ministry has decided to send a central team to assess the damage and loss due to floods in Punjab. Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla has informed the state government that a central team would also be sent to Punjab to assess damage due to flood.