In wake of the release of 2,40,930 cusec of water from the Ropar Headwork, the Deputy Commissioner Ferozepur Mr. Chander Gaind has asked the concerned Sub Divisional Magistrates to get 52 low lying and flood prone villages evacuated to save them from fury of floods besides the evacuation of other low lying and flood prone villages which falls under the category of most sensitive villages from floods point of view.Meanwhile deputy commissioner Mr. Chander Gaind and SSP Ferozepur Mr. Vivek S. Soni jointly visited the flood sensitive areas of the district and asked officials on duty to keep a close tab over the situation and keep sending them status report of the area on hourly basis.These villages include Manno Machhi, Gatta Dalel, Jamali Wala, Chak Manno Machhi, Gatta Badshah, Gatti Harike, Fettewala, Ghuram, Wara Kali Raun, Arazi Sabra, Kamalwala, Fatehgarh Sabhran, Ashie ke, Tanna bagga, Hamadwala, Kamala Middu, Dula singh wala, Bagge wala, Masteke, Gurditti Wala, Kaleke Hithar, Ruknewala, Gatti Chak Jadid, Kamalwala, Talli Gulam, Palla Megha, Jamma Megha Gatti Mattar, Dona Mattar, Qutabdinwala, Dona Raja Dinanath, Mehmood Ke Mal Hithar, Theth, Dheera Ghara, Bandala, Akkuwala, Bala Megha, Kaluwala, Gatti Rahimke, Langiana, Dona Telu Mal, Gandu Kilcha, Dona Rehmat Wala, Nihale Wala, Lamochar, Bhamba Singh Wala, Veear, Nihale Wala, Habib Ke, Ali Aulakh and Gandu Kilcha.Mr. Gaind said that due to excessive release of water from Bhakra Dam safe evacuation of people and cattle from low lying areas was necessary, adding that he said that the excessive water has been released from the swollen Satluj river and was expected to touch Ferozepur today late night around 3.40 am. He said that the current downstream level at Harike is 70,000 which is expected to reach around 1,50,000 cusecs tonight.
The Deputy Commissioner said that the district administration was keeping a close watch on the entire situation and fully geared up to face any unforeseen eventuality arising out of the prevailing circumstances. A flood control room has been set up at district level to keep a close tab over the situation, where employees are working round the clock in different shifts. The control room is in touch with the irrigation and drainage departments to obtain the information of water release from the Ropar headwork.Presiding over a review meeting to ensure the foolproof flood management arrangements in these villages, Mr. Gaind has asked the Sub Divisional Magistrates of concerned sub divisions along with the officers of drainage and irrigation department to be on high alert and coordinate properly and oversee the evacuation operations of people residing in these villages.The Deputy Commissioner said that arrangements for dry fodder for animals have been made and if need arises Mandis would be converted into relief centers however various relief centers have already been set up at different locations to help the people of these villages. He said that the Health department has been asked to keep its health teams ready where as the power corporation has been instructed to gear up for supplying power in proposed relief centers, if the need arises. Similarly, Mr Gaind said that divers have been put on alert so that they could be roped in if needed adding that he said that no stone would be left unturned for extending a helping hand to people in case of any problem.The Deputy Commissioner said that the district administration was in touch with Army, National Disaster Relief Force and State Disaster Relief Force to tackle with any sort of situation. He appealed to people residing in these villages to move at safer places immediately.