GURDASPUR, Aug. 27 — Heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu has triggered flooding in Punjab’s border belt, leaving around 20 villages in Ajnala and Ramdass areas of Gurdaspur district inundated after the Ravi river overflowed.
A breach in the Dhussi Bandh worsened the situation, submerging several villages. Ghonewal and Machhiwala are the worst hit, with Machhiwala reported to be completely submerged. Outer residential accommodations in Kot Gurbax village in Ramdas have also gone under water.
Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney has been supervising relief and rescue operations, assisted by police and boats. SSP Amritsar Rural Maninder Singh confirmed police deployment in the affected belt.
Other villages impacted include Nisoke, Panj Garai Wala, Ghumrai, Rurewal, Dariya Musa, Malakpur, Gilla Wali, Bedi Chhanna, Kot Rajada, Chaharpur, Kamirpura, Bal Labhe Dariya and Sahowal.
“The breach has left Ghonewal and Machhiwala completely devastated,” said panchayat secretary Surjit Singh.
Authorities have warned that more villages may be affected in the coming days if heavy rainfall continues.
