FLOOD CRISIS IN NORTH INDIA: EVACUATION, RELIEF OPERATIONS ONGOING AMID PREDICTED HEAVY RAINFALL

As the Indian states of Punjab and Haryana grapple with the aftermath of heavy monsoon rains and subsequent floods, there is mounting concern over the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB)'s decision to release 22,300 cusec of water from the Pong Dam in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district.

- TARUNI GANDHI

This discharge occurred on Sunday evening and could exacerbate the flooding in regions already struggling with recovery efforts.

The BBMB affirmed this water release is a standard protocol when dam water levels reach critical thresholds, which currently sit at 1,367.87 feet, close to the storage capacity of 1,410 feet. The authorities have alerted those living along the Beas River, warning of possible flooding in the Jalandhar area and surrounding regions.

This development follows a period of intense monsoons in Himachal, leading to landslides, flash floods, and significant damage to infrastructure. Losses due to these disasters have reached approximately Rs 4,357 crore since the onset of monsoon on June 24, with 111 reported fatalities.

Meanwhile, recovery operations in Punjab and Haryana continue with urgent efforts to restore electricity, secure drinkable water, and repair infrastructure in flood-impacted areas. In both states, over 30,000 people have been evacuated from waterlogged areas, and an estimated 1,775 villages in 27 districts have been affected by the floods.

To manage potential public health risks, the health department is acting proactively to prevent disease outbreaks in affected areas, deploying medical camps equipped with necessary medicines. Despite these efforts, issues such as the 40-ft breach along the Ghaggar River in Punjab's Mansa, which threatens to inundate more villages, pose ongoing challenges.

In a bid to alleviate the impact on everyday life, local authorities have taken measures to ensure a return to normalcy. Harjot Singh Bains, the Punjab Education Minister, announced that schools will reopen from July 17. Additionally, Bram Shanker Jimpa, the Water Supply and Sanitation Minister, said Rs 10 crore was being released for the repair of pipes, motors, or tubewells, and to restore drinking water supply.