Heavy downpour in the catchment areas of Shivalik Hills has resulted in rise of water level in the Ghaggar, inundating vast stretches of fields in Khanauri and adjoining villages. The flooding of these villages reportedly started on Monday and the water level continued to rise till yesterday when the level was recorded at 753.70 feet. It came down marginally to 753 feet today.

However, a fresh spell of rains in the region today has added to the misery of the people and created panic among the villagers.

During a tour of the affected, it was found that the 32 Span Bridge at R D Number 455 was choked and though it could take about 35,000 cusecs of water discharge, it was not being used because it remains choked. Official sources told The Indian Expressthat this bridge could take the spill-over water, excess of 748 feet, and drop it back into the Ghaggar beyond the Bhakra Main Line Canal (BML).

Villagers complained that the administration had generally ignored the problem every year and took action only when these villages were flooded. First time these villages were flooded was in 1988. Then after 1993, the flooding has become almost an annual feature. One of the villagers, Puran Singh, ex-sarpanch of Tejpura village, alleged that this year tractors had been deployed to clear the hyacinth from the Ghaggar bridge span only two days before the water level started rising.

Arjun Singh, sarpanch of Guru Nanak Pura village of Patiala district, alleged though the Deputy Commissioner had visited the areas yesterday, they were still fending for themselves. They were yet to receive any medical aid or veterinary aid for their cattle.

Five villages of Patiala district which have almost been cut off are: Guru Nanak Pura, Kangthala, Taipur, Matauli, and Sagra,the worst hit were Matauli and Guru Nanak Pura, where even the link roads had been washed away. Boats and truck tyres were being used by villagers to reach the villages.Villages in Sangrur district affected included Hotipur, Mandvi, Banarsi, Banga, and Dusehra.

Deputy Commissioner of Patiala Viswajeet Khanna told The Indian Express that the chief minister who had made an aerial survey of the affected villages yesterday, had ordered that a special girdwari be conducted to assess the damage to the crops. He said that he had issued instructions that all medical and veterinary help be provided on priority basis. He maintained the administration was fully geared up to meet any eventuality.

Khanna said that a canal would be built at the 32 Span Bridge at R D 455 to ensure that the spill-over beyond 748 feet could pass from this bridge.Gurdev Singh Sidhu, MLA from Shutrana said Badal had assured all help to mitigate the suffering of the affected villagers. Sidhu said during his meeting with the chiefminister, he impressed upon him the need to devise a permanent solution to this chronic problem which was playing havoc with the economy of the villagers because of successive crop failures.