New Delhi (Agency): Many parts of Punjab and Haryana are reeling from heavy rainfall, with the situation worsening as flooding occurs in various areas. The incessant rains have prompted the closure of schools in Punjab until July 13, as per the government’s orders. The meteorological department reports that rainfall has persisted throughout the region.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who is personally visiting flood-affected areas, has called for calm and assured the public that the government is fully committed to providing necessary assistance. Mann emphasized the importance of collective efforts and stated that all ministers, MLAs, and officials are actively engaged in addressing the crisis.
To ensure the safety of students, the government has extended the closure of schools until July 13, with Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains issuing a tweet to that effect. Previously, schools were closed in the worst-hit districts of Punjab and Haryana.
The situation in some districts, including Mohali, Patiala, Rupnagar, Fatehgarh Sahib, Panchkula, and Ambala, remains critical. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar canceled his scheduled programs and convened an emergency meeting with senior officials to assess the situation. Deputy commissioners were briefed through video-conferencing, and steps were taken to ensure the safety of residents, including those stranded in other states.
Rescue operations have been launched in affected areas as floodwaters enter residential areas. The Haryana government has issued an advisory urging the public to exercise caution and venture out only when necessary. In Patiala, the district administration sought assistance from the army as water overflowed from the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal. Similar alerts have been issued in other parts of Punjab.
Fields and houses have been inundated in many locations, causing damage to crops and disrupting normal life. Roads have become waterlogged, leading to traffic congestion. The Rajpura Thermal Power Plant in Patiala had to shut down one of its units after floodwaters entered the premises.
The Punjab government has requested additional assistance from the army to address the escalating crisis. NDRF and SDRF teams have been deployed in affected areas to support rescue and relief efforts. The administration has successfully evacuated patients from a private hospital and rescued stranded students with the help of the army.
In Haryana’s Ambala district, all rivers, including Markanda, Tangri, and Ghaggar, have surpassed the danger mark. The district administration has declared a high alert and sought assistance from the army and NDRF. Offices, including the Ambala deputy commissioner’s office, have been waterlogged.
Efforts are underway to plug breaches and provide relief to affected residents. Flood control rooms have been established, and authorities are closely monitoring the situation. People residing in low-lying areas along the Yamuna river have been advised to stay away from the riverbank due to rising water levels.
As the heavy rains persist, the situation remains challenging, and continuous efforts are being made to ensure the safety and well-being of the affected population.