Punjab Water Resources Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer today visited Siswan and Budhki rivers in Rupnagar district to take stock of the damage and situation at the ground level. Meet Hayer said that such condition of the state has arisen after many years due to heavy rains in the hilly areas as well as in Punjab.
He said that many areas of Punjab had to bear the brunt of water due to overflowing of water in the rivers. The Water Resources Minister said that the department has made full preparations.
The situation is fully under control and people need not panic. The flood-affected people in Rupnagar district have been lodged in relief camps, where their food and accommodation have been fully arranged.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has already released Rs 33.50 Cr from the disaster fund and approved the release of another Rs 71 Cr. Meet Hayer said on this crisis time the district civil and police administrations are promptly visiting the ground level and taking stock of the entire situation from time to time.
He also appealed to the people to contact the Deputy Commissioner's office of their respective districts so that they can be evacuated in case of any emergency. Saving of human life is the top priority of the government.
The staff of the department has been asked to conduct night vigil as well as to monitor the fields. Immediate measures like sandbags, tippers and JCB machines etc. have already been instructed to be ready to deal with any situation.
MLA Advocate Dinesh Chadha, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Preeti Yadav, SSP Viveksheel Soni, SDM Amrik Singh, and officials of the concerned departments were also present at the occasion.