KAPURTHALA, Aug 3 — Torrential rains in upstream hilly regions and the release of dam water have triggered devastating floods in Kapurthala district, inundating thousands of acres of farmland and pushing villagers to the brink. The Beas river, swollen beyond its banks, has submerged vast stretches of Bhulath sub-division, affecting over a dozen villages.
In Mand Habibwal, Tandi, Raipur Araiyan, Daudpur, Mirzapur, Chakkoki Mand, Butala, and Dhilwan, standing crops of paddy, maize, sugarcane, and vegetables lie underwater. For many farmers, it’s the second flood in just 10 days, compounding already heavy losses.
With no sign of respite, families are evacuating their homes. Members of the Gujjar community, dependent on livestock, are shifting animals to higher ground. Many now live under makeshift shelters made of plastic sheets along roadside embankments. “We are left on our own,” said a farmer, standing beside his temporary hut.
The extent of damage is staggering:
- Randhir Singh lost 35 acres of paddy.
- Malkit Singh, Paramjit Singh, Ranjit Singh, Sukhwinder Singh, and Manjeet Kaur each reported losses on 15 acres.
- Baba Hardeep Singh (12 acres), Nishan Singh (10 acres), and Kultar Pavittar Singh (9 acres) all reported total submergence.
- In Chakkoki, farmers like Varinder Singh, Asif Ali, Shah Ali, Ehsan Ali, and Jalaluddin have suffered complete crop failure.
Anger is mounting. Locals blame authorities for diverting the Beas river’s natural course, worsening erosion and flood impact in the Mand area annually. “Every monsoon, our land is sacrificed. Authorities shift the river flow towards our fields with no permanent remedy,” said Chakkoki sarpanch Jagtar Singh, known locally as Happy Khadar.
The affected farmers have demanded immediate government action — including a rapid survey, compensation, and flood-control infrastructure. As water levels continue to rise and more rain is forecast, residents wait not only for relief but a permanent solution to the annual devastation.
