Relentless overnight rainfall caused widespread flooding in 17 villages of the Garhshankar subdivision in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, as seasonal rivulets, or choes, overflowed, inundating fields, roads, and homes, according to local officials.

The flooding, exacerbated by a 150-foot breach in an embankment near Kukran village and unaddressed breaches in the Dhussi bundh near Mehtabpur, has damaged 5,287 hectares of agricultural land, devastating paddy, sugarcane, and other crops. The water level in the Pong dam reached a critical 1,391.05 feet, surpassing the danger mark of 1,390 feet, with an inflow of 87,323 cusecs and an outflow of 1.10 lakh cusecs into the Shah Nehar Barrage, intensifying the crisis.

Villages such as Hakumatpur, Baddon, Alawalpur, Gandhowal, Rara Mand, and Mehtabpur are among the worst hit, with floodwater entering homes in areas like Hakumatpur and Baddon, forcing residents to use sandbags to protect their properties. In Mehtabpur, 50-60 riverside homes were inundated with up to two-and-a-half feet of water, prompting eight to ten families to relocate their belongings.

Garhshankar Sub-Divisional Magistrate Sanjiv Kumar reported 68 mm of rainfall by 7:00 AM, with showers continuing, and confirmed that rescue and relief operations are underway to ensure the safety of people and livestock. Deputy Commissioner Aashika Jain visited affected villages, assuring residents of timely compensation and directing officials to expedite damage assessments and relief distribution.

The Punjab government, led by Local Government Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh, has mobilized resources to support the 86 flood-affected villages across Hoshiarpur, including 30 in Mukerian, 21 in Dasuya, and 25 in Tanda. Singh inspected the Dhussi bundh near the Beas river and ordered immediate reinforcement of the embankment. At a relief camp in Miani village, he ensured provisions for food, water, medical facilities, and fodder.

The district administration’s proactive measures, including teams on standby and transparent rehabilitation efforts, aim to restore normalcy, but local leaders like Mehtabpur sarpanch Manjinder Singh criticized delays in addressing earlier breaches, underscoring ongoing challenges in flood management.

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