Punjab situation after floods

Chandigarh, August 29, 2019: BREACH IN BHARWAI-BIKANER CANAL PLUGGED: Averting major damage, timely action by District Administration Ferozepur has led to immediate plugging of breach in Bharwai-Bikaner Canal, informed an official Spokesperson of Government of Punjab.
Giving details, he informed that early Thursday morning a 20 ft wide breach in Bharwai-Bikaner Canal, near village Luther was reported. The Ferozepur Deputy Commissioner and the Senior Superintendant Police rushed to the spot. The work of plugging the breach commenced around 7:30 am and has been successfully accomplished.
To accomplish the plugging operation at war footing, the employees of Water Resourses Department diverted the water of Bikaner canal to East Canal. This eased plugging by reducing the pressure of water. The locals supported the administration in the plugging operation.
Although water entered the surrounding fields but major damage has been averted as it was prevented from entering the village houses.
The spokesman assured that people would be compensated for the loss of crops at the earliest as DC has been directed to furnish the crop-loss report.

MASSIVE CLEANLINESS DRIVE INITIATED IN FLOOD-RAVAGED VILLAGES
Chandigarh: Aiming to prevent post deluge spread of disease/epidemic, a massive cleanliness drive has been initiated in the flood-hit villages of the State, informed an official Spokesman of government of Punjab.
Hundreds of sanitation workers from various municipalities have been deputed in these villages along with the tractor-trolleys and earthmovers to remove the garbage from the streets.
Divulging the details, he said that sanitation teams have been formed in each village under the supervision of the Executive Officers to ensure cleaning of every nook and corner for prevention of outbreak of epidemic.
The mud, dirt ,vegetation , plastic waste, etc brought by floodwater is being cleaned up by the sanitation teams, said he and added that fogging is being carried out, twice in a day in these villages since past few days.
He said that the flood-water has receded in most of the villages due to which it has become easy for the sanitation teams to carry out the cleanliness drive and added that state government is making concerted efforts for ensuring normalcy in the marooned villages.

PUNJAB GOVT ISSUES RS 85 LAKH FOR DISTRICT LUDHIANA TILL DATE
Ludhiana: As per the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, the state government has issued funds amounting to Rs 4.5 crore for flood affected villages, out of which second instalment of Rs 50 lakh has been issued to district Ludhiana. Deputy Commissioner Mr Pradeep Kumar Agrawal informed that earlier also, funds amounting to Rs 35 lakh were issued to the district, making it a total of Rs 85 lakh. These funds were issued for carrying out relief measures in flood affected areas of the district.
The Deputy Commissioner further informed that during the meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Punjab regarding flood control/relief measures at Chandigarh, the Deputy Commissioners had asked for additional funds. He informed that the funds were released for relief measures that require immediate attention.
Mr Agrawal stated that the funds have been provided for arranging green fodder for animals, for disposal of deceased animals, approach to temporary residence, tents, temporary toilets, medicines, ration, drinking water, powdered milk, clearing debris from the banks of river, spray on accumulated water etc.
He informed that for the flood affected districts of the state, the Punjab government has already set aside a total of Rs. 475.56 crore for the flood-hit districts of the state and Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has already ordered the concerned officials to prepare comprehensive rehabilitation plans for the ravaged areas, including the works needed to be carried out post the relief operations.
He said that while Rs. 242.33 crore is being used for the immediate infrastructure works/relief operations, another Rs. 233.23 crore will be provided in the short and long term, after proper damage assessment and planning.

PUNJAB GOVT TO PROVIDE FREE WHEAT SEED TO FARMERS AFFECTED BY FLOOD
Ludhiana: The Punjab government has decided to provide free wheat seed to those farmers, whose crops were damaged 100% during floods. Besides this, the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department has directed its officials to issue advisories to the farmers in their respective areas.
While providing information, Dr Baldev Singh, Chief Agriculture Officer, Ludhiana informed that during the meeting held under the leadership of Financial Commissioner (Development) Vishwajeet Khanna, it was decided to provide wheat seed totally free of cost to those farmers whose crops were 100% damaged during flood. Besides, it was also decided in the meeting to provide benefit of all welfare schemes to the farmers of flood affected areas on priority basis.
Dr Baldev Singh advised the farmers that in fields where the flood water has totally dried up, they can grow green fodder (toria) or Gobhi sarson in the month of September. He said that both these crops get ready in 80-90 days, and the wheat crop can be sown in the month of November.
He said that the fields where there is problem of silting or the water of Budha Nullah has been absorbed, those farmers should immediately contact the officials of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department so that their soil can be tested. He informed that the department has sped up the work of soil testing and is also establishing contact with the farmers directly.
The Chief Agriculture Officer said that sometimes, the crop gets infected with different kinds of insects post floods, and that is why the farmers should contact the department or agriculture experts immediately. He assured that the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department is committed for the welfare of farmers in this hour of need.

PWD (B&R) DEPARTMENT CARRYING OUT SURVEY OF DAMAGED ROADS AND BUILDINGS
Ludhiana: Kulwant Singh, Superintending Engineer (SE), PWD B&R, Ludhiana, has informed that due to heavy rainfall and flood in some areas of district Ludhiana, there has been no major infrastructural loss. Although some roads have been damaged due to rainfall and flooding, but the senior officials of PWD B&R department state that this damage is easily repairable.
He informed that he has directed his staff to carry out a detailed survey of areas where flooding had occurred so that the extent of damage can be assessed. He said that the staff has been directed to carry out survey of all bridges, roads, government buildings etc in flood affected areas to find out if there has been any damage due to flood.
Kulwant Singh stated that till now, there has been no reports of any damage to any bridge or building in the district, but still, the department is carrying out a survey. He said that reports of minor damage to some roads have come to his notice. He informed that the officials of his department have been directed to prepare a detailed report in this regard so that the actual situation regarding damage can be assessed.
Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Punjab Cabinet Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, has already stated that the Punjab government would allot special funds for the repair work of all damaged roads etc.

DAIRY DEPARTMENT URGES DAIRY FARMERS TO GET MILK TESTED
Ludhiana: The areas which were affected by floods, its residents sometimes get affected by diseases, and even animals catch some diseases, due to which their milk becomes not fit for human consumption. While acting as per special directions of Punjab government, the Dairy Development Department Punjab has urged the farmers to get their milk tested.
While providing information, Deputy Director, Dairy Development Department, Ludhiana Dilbagh Singh Hans stated that during floods, the cattle sometimes consume fodder contaminated with flood water, after which their milk becomes not fit for human consumption. He said that sometimes the milk becomes dangerous for humans to consume.
He said that the dairy farmers should keep in mind that if foul odour is coming from milk or the taste or colour has changed, then they can get their milk tested completely free of cost by contacting the Dairy Development department. He said that although no such matter has come to the notice of the department till now, but still the dairy farmers should take this matter seriously.
He said that although the department has been organising routine milk testing camps. He informed that the Punjab government has also provided 8 mobile laboratory vans for milk testing to the Punjab Dairy Development Board, which visit different districts of the state and check milk samples.
He informed that during these camps, the milk is tested for milk fat, SNF, protein, density, water and urea, caustic soda, sugar, salt etc. He informed that the dairy farmers as well as residents can get their milk tested totally free of cost from the office of Deputy Director, Dairy Development Department, Ludhiana, at 598-L, Model Town, Ludhiana (phone number 0161-2400223) on any working day.

TO PREVENT VECTOR-BORNE DISEASE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION STARTS FOGGING IN FLOOD-HIT VILLAGES
Ferozepur, August 29, 2019: Executing the post-flood action plan, the district administration Ferozepur has started a massive fogging drive in the flood-hit villages. The drive is aiming at keeping people from the vector-borne disease besides preventing the breeding of the mosquitos.
Divulging the details, the deputy commissioner said that the drive has been started in the worst affected villages like Nihala Lavera, Muthiawala, Dhira Ghara, Lallowan to protect the people of these villages from disease, adding he said that fogging through portable machines are being carried out in these villages. The deputy commissioner further added that the areas which are still non-motorable, fogging are being done with the use of boats. Ten fogging teams have been hooked to this task to cover all the affected villages.
In the wake of diarrhea, fever, throat and skin infection reported in the medical camps organized by the health department in various relief camps, the fogging was come up as a solution to control vector-borne disease, said Gaind.
He said that the mobile teams of the health department are already visiting house to house on boats and medicines are being given to the affected people as district administration is committed to providing the relief to the flood-affected people in these hours of crisis.
The deputy commissioner said that the proper implementation of the post-flood action plan is an important factor to provide relief to the affected people and the district administration will no stone upturned to execute the post-flood action pan in its true letter and spirit. Gaind also stated that the relief work is going to be expedited soon to cover the whole affected area in a short time by bringing more manpower and resources in the field to restore normalcy at the earliest.

20-FT BREACH PLUGGED IN BIKANER’S CANAL WITHIN FEW HOURS
Ferozepur, August 29, 2019: Taking a swift action on getting information of breach in Bikaner’s canal, the district administration led by Deputy Commissioner Chander Gaind and SSP Vivek S Soni plugged 20-ft breach within few hours and saved the several villages from being getting flooded.
The administration received the breach information at 7.30 am following which the deputy commissioner Chander Gaind and SSP Mr Vivek S Soni reached the spot and got started plugging work with the help of workers with sandbags.
The canal department diverted the flow of the water to the east canal which helped speedy plugging.
The deputy commissioner talked with the villagers and assured the people that the state government would compensate them for the loss of their property and crops.