FAZILKA – The Fazilka district has been hit by fresh flooding after three breaches were reported in the Abulkhurana drain, submerging an estimated 1,000 acres of land. The incidents, which occurred in the past 24 hours, have once again highlighted the area’s vulnerability to flooding due to what local residents claim is poor maintenance of drainage systems.
According to official sources, two breaches were reported from Bandiwala village and one from Sabuana village, leading to the rapid inundation of surrounding fields and properties. The sudden surge of water has caused significant damage, though the exact extent of the loss is yet to be fully assessed.
Local residents and community leaders have voiced their frustration and anger over the recurring issue. Karamjeet Singh, a former sarpanch of Bandiwala village, accused officials of the Drainage Department of negligence. He alleged that the vital drain has not been properly cleaned for the last four years, despite multiple warnings. “The breach was reported at 6 pm, but Drainage Department officials did not turn up for hours despite repeated requests,” he stated. Singh added that a similar overflow occurred near several villages, including Lakhewali Dhab and Bandiwala, last month, but no concrete action was taken.
In response, Alok Chaudhary, Executive Engineer (XEN) of the Drainage Department, confirmed that teams have been dispatched and the process to plug the breaches has begun. He acknowledged that the department is working to control the situation but did not comment on the allegations of negligence.
Fazilka has suffered heavy losses from a combination of incessant rainfall and a series of breaches and overflows in its drainage network in recent months. This latest incident has renewed calls for a long-term solution to prevent future disasters and protect the livelihood of farmers and residents in the region.