Sat,17 Aug 2013

15,000 acres flooded in Fazilka

Gaurav Sagar Bhaskar, Hindustan Times  Ferozepur/Fazilka, August 16, 2013

More than 15,000 acres in Fazilka is under water, playing havoc with residents' lives. In Ferozepur, water standing in fields adjoining the Sutlej river has started receding.

Seventeen villages of Fazilka sub division and 11 under Jalalabad sub divisions have been the worst-hit due to release of 70,000 cusec water from Harikee headworks in Ferozepur. Around 15,000 cusec rain water had also stagnated.

"There has been no help from the administration. Even the condition of our cattle folk is worsening as not even fodder is available," said Surjit Singh, a farmer.

The 2.2-km bundh along the New Maujam village is on the verge of collapse and if it gave way, more than six villages would be flooded, said sarpanch Des Singh. Teja Ruhela, Jhanger, Dona Nanka, Dhani Sda Singh and Mohar Jamsher are the affected villages.

Ferozepur MP Sher Singh and Charandev Singh Mann, ADC(G) Fazilka visited the affected villages and assured villagers that a 'special girdawri' of the flood-hit crop area would be organised.

Ferozepur DC Manjit Singh Narang said that water discharge from Harikee Headworks had been reduced to 51,000 cusec from 89,000 cusec. He claimed that on Friday night, the quantity of water reduce would be cut by 10,000 cusec.

Congress MLA Parminder Singh Pinki said: "Is this development that the SAD-BJP is so proud of --- the annual devastation that residents, especially of border areas, see during the monsoon."

He demanded that affected farmers should be compensated at the rate Rs. 35,000 per acre instead of rubbing their salt by paying them a meager amount ranging from Rs. 1,500-5,000 per acre.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/