CHANDIGARH: Three days of torrential rain have not only claimed Over a 150 lives in Punjab alone, but also left behind devastation and destruction which will remain with the people of the state for a long time to come. The damage done to the roads and bridges by flood waters of the September 1988 is yet to be undone so one can well imagine how long it would take for the nature’s fury to abate this time, While initial estimates put the loss Of cattle, crop, valuables, washed ‘Out roads and rail links, communication setup, etc. to several crores, the exact extent of the damage will only be known later. The rains had thrown normal life out of gear, but with a dry spell since the last two days, the water levels are receding and vital communication, rail and road links are being gradually restored. Scores of villages have been inundated all over the state by flood waters from Beas and Sutlej rivers, besides the numerous breaches in the Dhusi bandh along the India Pakistan border and the network of Punjab irrigation canals. Breaches have also been caused at Burj Tehal Dass in Jalandhar district. Lohian in Nakodar subdivision and Panchana in Kapurthala district, inundating over two dozen villages. Ravi water in Ajanala area has affected over 50 villages and about 100 people were rescued by the Army from his area. In the Gurdaspur area alone, crops in more than 41,000 acres of land have been destroyed, According to the Punjab Chief Minister’s assessment, nearly 50% of the state’s population has been affected by the floods, Barring the five districts of Malwa region, namely Bhatinda, Mansa, Sangrur, Faridkot and Gurdaspur, the entire State is reclining under the fury of the flood waters. Despite rescue attempts, several villages were still marooned and efforts were being made to rescue the villagers stranded here. The Punjab government has asked
For an immediate assistance of Rs 100 crores from the Center to provide relief in the affected. The Army helicopters are reported to be dropping about 30,000 packets of food every day, but still the help is not reaching everyone as many areas cannot be reached. Most places are facing an acute shortage of wheal, fodder, milk, etc. With all major links having been cut off from the state capital Chandigarh, at one point there were over 10,000 people stranded at Chandigarh bus station, while another 15,000 at the Ambala railway station. The situation has since improved though all road and rail links are yet to be resumed. Several trains to this region, including the Shalimar Express, Amritsar New Delhi Express, Himachal Express, Daddar Express, Kashmir Mail, etc. have been cancelled.
Extensive damage has been caused to the Kajauli water works which Supplies water to Chandigarh, It is expected that for several weeks people in the capital will have to do with only one to two hours of water supply each day.
While the politicians are doing their best to show that “they really care for the people,” the visits of VVIPs to flood affected areas are causing inconvenience to the ordinary people.
For instance, when the Chief Minister visited Patiala, which is virtually under water, on Tuesday, all relief work was stopped due to security reasons and people were prevented from moving about freely.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 23, 1993
