The flood situation in Punjab’s border district Ferozepur has turned critical, with more than 2,000 people rescued from affected villages in the last two days. Continuous rise in the water level of the Sutlej river has inundated several low-lying areas, forcing people to leave behind their homes, belongings, and livestock.
Rescue and relief efforts are being carried out round-the-clock by the district administration with the help of the Army, Border Security Force (BSF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and police. Officials say the situation remains tense as water continues to flow at dangerously high levels.
The worst-affected villages include Kaluwala, Tendi Wala, Bagge Wala, Nihala Lavera, Nihala Kilcha, Habib Ke, Gatti Rajo Ke, and Navi Gatti Rajo Ke. Many residents were stranded when water entered their homes suddenly. Rescue teams used boats and other resources to evacuate people, with special focus on children, the elderly, and livestock.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Deepshikha Sharma confirmed that 12 relief camps have been set up at Bagge Wala, Bare Ke, Dulchi Ke, Fatte Wala, Joege Wala, Dona Mathar, and Madi Ke. These camps are providing cooked food, drinking water, bedding, dry rations, milk for children, and medical assistance. Ambulances and medical teams have also been stationed at the camps to address health emergencies.
“Teams from the Army, BSF, and NDRF are working tirelessly to rescue stranded people and animals. All Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) have been told to make sure food supplies are not interrupted. Ready-to-eat food packets are being kept handy in case the situation worsens,” the DC said.
Patrolling is being conducted in vulnerable areas to identify people who may still be trapped. Authorities have also urged villagers not to use private boats because of strong water currents, which could put lives at risk.
The DC visited flood-hit areas including Tendi Wala, Kalu Wala, Habib Ke Bundh, Nihala Lavera, and Nihala Kilcha to oversee relief operations. She urged residents to remain calm and assured them that the administration is working on a war footing to provide assistance.
Meanwhile, heavy flooding has caused damage to local infrastructure. A bridge on the Sirhind feeder canal near Jhamke village in Makhu block collapsed after being hit by powerful water currents and the blockage of hyacinth plants. The collapse has cut off road access to Jhamke, Mithe, and Ghuddu Wala villages, leaving residents dependent on boats for movement.
Local sarpanch Manpreet Singh blamed poor maintenance and delays in removing water hyacinths for the collapse. “This damage could have been avoided if the authorities had acted earlier to clear the canal,” he said.
Sandeep Goyal, Superintendent Engineer, explained that the water flow has been increasing rapidly. At Harike, the discharge upstream was measured at 2,74,024 cusecs on Wednesday evening, while downstream it was 2,60,359 cusecs. At Hussainiwala, the water discharge was 2,60,359 cusecs upstream and 2,58,859 cusecs downstream, compared to Tuesday’s 2,30,616 and 2,29,116 cusecs. The rising numbers clearly show the pressure on the Sutlej river and its adjoining areas.
The sudden surge in water has also made it difficult to carry out regular checks and repair work, increasing the risk of further damage to embankments, bridges, and villages along the river. Officials said continuous monitoring is being done to prevent more breaches, but the sheer volume of water makes the task extremely challenging.
For the villagers, the floods have brought enormous hardship. Many families have been forced to leave their homes at short notice, carrying only essentials. Cattle, goats, and other livestock have either been left behind or are being shifted with the help of rescue teams.
At the relief camps, children are being provided milk and basic nutrition, while dry rations like flour, rice, and pulses are being distributed for cooking. Health teams are keeping an eye on cases of diarrhoea, fever, and skin infections, which often spread in flood-hit areas.
Officials said the biggest challenge is to ensure a steady supply of food and clean drinking water for those displaced. Floods often contaminate water sources, and arrangements have been made to provide safe water in tankers.
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The collapse of the Sirhind feeder bridge has made travel difficult for several villages. Farmers are worried about their crops, which are now under water. Fields of paddy and other standing crops are likely to be destroyed, causing further economic distress to families who already live on thin margins.
Despite the challenges, many villagers expressed gratitude for the swift response of the Army, BSF, and NDRF. “We lost our homes to the floodwaters, but the rescue teams saved our lives. Without them, we would have been trapped,” said a resident of Kaluwala village.
Authorities have warned that the situation could remain critical for the next few days if the discharge from Harike and Hussainiwala barrages does not reduce. The Sutlej, swollen by heavy rains and increased inflow, is likely to keep pressure on embankments and low-lying areas.
The district administration has said it is fully alert and prepared to handle further emergencies. “Our teams are on constant watch. We are focusing on saving lives first, then ensuring basic needs like food, water, and medical care are met,” the DC said.
As rescue and relief work continues, the people of Ferozepur remain hopeful that water levels will soon recede. For now, the priority is survival and safety, while officials continue to battle one of the worst floods the district has seen in recent years.
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