MEHTABPUR, Mukerian, Aug 25 — Floodwaters forced residents of Mehtabpur village to abandon their homes on Sunday after water from the Beas river surged, submerging several areas of Mukerian sub-division. Villages including Motla, Sanial, Miani, Mashahpur, Haler, and Kolian also reported flood-like conditions, with farmers facing potential heavy losses as water inundated their farmlands.
Manjinder Singh, sarpanch of Mehtabpur, said the administration had warned villagers about possible threats, but many were initially reluctant to leave. “When water actually started entering the village, everyone ran for safety. A lot of people have shifted their belongings elsewhere,” he said.
However, Mukerian Sub-Divisional Magistrate Ankur Mahindroo clarified that the flooding was not due to a breach in the dhussi bandh, as initially feared. “The volume of water in the Beas increased due to inflow from Himachal Pradesh’s Chakki river. Even though releases from Pong Dam had reduced, water from Chakki and other upstream streams created a catastrophic situation,” he explained. Mahindroo added that at one point on Sunday, about 2.40 cusecs of water flowed through the Beas, but by evening, the water level had begun to recede.
Relief operations were underway, with the administration setting up camps for affected residents. Volunteers from the Baba Deep Singh Sewa Dal NGO were actively assisting in evacuations using boats, the SDM said.
Authorities urged villagers to cooperate with rescue efforts and avoid returning to flooded areas until waters subside. The situation has highlighted the need for preparedness in low-lying areas prone to river surges, officials noted.
