FATEHGARH SAHIB: The Punjab Government, in order to Save Patiala from floods, has sacrificed Sirhind, a leading town of district Fatehgarh Sahib and its Surrounding areas.
A bund has been constricted on the SYL canal near Chunni village due to which the 40-foot deep canal has turned into a five-kilometer-long lake. Near the bund, water overflow in the direction of the Chunni village has submerged crops of at least a dozen villages. Besides, gushing water can also be seen flooding the streets of a Harijan dwelling in Chunni Khurd village. The residents have made temporary arrangements to slop the water from entering their houses by putting sand bags at their doors.
The bund constructed on the SYL canal is an example of an unplanned act of the SYL engineers. The canal is obstructing the natural flow of “Jainta Devi Ki Rao,” which in district Fetehgarh Sahib, is known as the Sirhind choe and has further hit the Samana area of district Patiala. To ensure its natural flow, a “super passage” was planned over the canal which could not be completed. The water of the Rao is falling into the canal. If heavy rain continues on the hills for the next few days, the water will Mood Chunni and Badali Aala Singh areas of Sirhind. On the other hand if this bund breaches due to the heavy pressure of water, it will prove to be a man-made disaster and even Patiala may be affected.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 29, 1994
