Thaindian News

Chandigarh, July 11 (IANS) A fresh breach of around 20 feet was reported in the Ghaggar river near Mansa district of Punjab, causing floods in many surrounding villages Sunday, an official said.
“Today, a fresh breach of nearly 20 feet has occurred in the Ghaggar river near Mansa town. Due to this, many villages of the district have been submerged in water. Our officials our trying to fill this breach but they are facing difficulties due to the heavy flow of water,” Punjab Chief Engineer (Irrigation) Amarjit Singh Dullat told IANS.

“Rescue work is on across the flood-affected areas in the state. There are some places where water level has receded, while at some, water is still overflowing at alarming levels,” he added.

Many places in Punjab like Ludhiana and Patiala, received moderate rainfall Sunday morning. Met officials have predicted heavy rainfall accompanied with thunderstorm in various parts of Punjab Monday.

The neighbouring state of Haryana, which is gradually moving towards normalcy after the flood menace, also received light to moderate rainfall Sunday.

“There was rain in the morning, but it had not affected the relief work that is going on in Ambala. We are providing food and other aid to the flood victims, the situation is totally under control,” said Ambala Deputy Commissioner Samir Pal Srow.

Haryana’s Ambala, Kurukshetra and Kaithal districts were adversely affected by the flood this week.

As per official figures, 32 people have died in the flood-affected areas of Punjab and Haryana.

Railway officials said that train traffic on the Ambala-Delhi section, which links Delhi with Punjab, Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir, was running normally Sunday.

“Though some trains are delayed, but there is no major problem in their operations,” an Ambala railway official said.