Floods wreak havoc in Ferozepur, ravage crops

FEROZEPUR - With the water-level of the River Satluj rising, several low-lying areas have been inundated in Punjab’s Ferozepur District, leaving locals homeless and acres of cropland damaged.

Over 12,000 cusecs of water was released into the river from the Bhakra Dam on Thursday, causing the river to swell.

Several villages located near the embankments of the river were completely submerged by the gushing waters.

“The water level in the river has stopped rising but now it has started increasing once again. The flood water has reached our villages and completely damaged our fields,” said Shinder Singh, a villager.

Residents said they expected help from the government and blamed it for not doing enough.

“Thousands of acres of our fields and standing crops have been destroyed. We request the government to offer whatever compensation they can to the people whose houses have collapsed,” said Singh.

The monsoon this year has caused extensive floods in several parts of north Indian state like Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh causing huge devastation to life and property. By Sarabjeet Singh (ANI)