Flood threat in Ludhiana as Sutlej breaches Sasrali embankment, submerging farmland and endangering 15 villages; rescue ops on war footing.
Villages identified under immediate risk include Sasrali, Boont, Rawat, Hawas, Seera, Boothgarh, Mangli Tanda, Dheri, Khwajake, Khasi Khurad, Mangli Kadar, Mattewara, Mangat, and Meharban.
CHANDIGARH: A breach has been reported at the Sasrali embankment of the Sutlej river in Ludhiana district, triggering flooding in farmland and raising the risk of inundation in nearly 15 surrounding villages of Ludhiana East.
The embankment, which residents and authorities had been reinforcing for days with sandbags and stones, gave way on Thursday under heavy water pressure. The breach has already submerged large tracts of farmland in Sasrali Colony, and panic is spreading as the river continues to rage.
The Ludhiana district administration has issued an alert, urging residents in low-lying areas to remain vigilant. Officials admitted that despite ongoing efforts to strengthen and save the bundh, the threat of further flooding looms large.
Villages identified under immediate risk include Sasrali, Boont, Rawat, Hawas, Seera, Boothgarh, Mangli Tanda, Dheri, Khwajake, Khasi Khurad, Mangli Kadar, Mattewara, Mangat, and Meharban.
To ensure safety, the administration has set up rescue centres at:
Residents can contact the flood control room at 0161-2433100 or dial the police helpline 112 for assistance. Emergency teams are stationed on the ground, and further updates on rescue and relief measures are awaited.
For nearly a week, villagers of Sasrali had been spending sleepless nights, working round the clock with the Indian Army, NDRF, and district administration to protect the embankment. AAP MLA and cabinet minister Hardeep Singh Mundian had joined the efforts earlier this week, carrying sandbags and stones on his head to motivate villagers, while AAP Punjab described his act as “sewa” on social media.
Despite these efforts, the river’s force overwhelmed the structure. Local Congress leader Manveer Singh Dhaliwal said that before the breach itself, nearly 100 acres of farmland in Sasrali and Boothgarh had already been damaged. “Now with the breach, the destruction is far wider. Crops have been ruined, but thankfully, there is no loss of life yet,” he said.
Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain confirmed the breach and said strengthening and rescue efforts are underway on a war footing. “We had stocked one lakh sandbags and brought stone supplies from Ropar and Himachal Pradesh. Teams remain deployed at critical points, and we are monitoring the situation round the clock. Farmers’ losses will be assessed and compensated once the situation stabilises,” he assured.
As waters spread further, Ludhiana MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring reached Sasrali to inspect the site and urged immediate relief for affected families.
Villagers remain in panic as the Sutlej shows no sign of calming, forcing many to shift towards safer areas even as authorities brace for more water being released from the Bhakra dam.
