Bundh Breach Floods 15 Villages in Kapurthala District

Punjab  : A breach in a bundh along the Sutlej river in Kapurthala district has resulted in severe flooding across at least 15 villages, displacing hundreds of residents and submerging large swathes of farmland. The incident occurred late on Monday night following continuous heavy rainfall in the region and upstream areas, which caused water levels in the river to swell beyond safe limits.

Local authorities said that the breach, measuring nearly 60 feet wide, allowed river water to gush into low-lying areas at alarming speed. Villages including Kanjli, Dhilwan, Sultanpur, and nearby hamlets have been worst affected. In several places, homes have been inundated up to waist level, forcing families to evacuate in the early hours.

District officials, along with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local volunteers, have launched relief and rescue operations. Boats and tractors are being used to ferry stranded residents to safety. Temporary shelters have been set up in nearby schools and community halls, where food, water, and medical aid are being provided.

Deputy Commissioner Kapurthala said the administration is working round the clock to control the situation and prevent further flooding. “Our immediate priority is to ensure the safety of people and provide relief to those affected. Engineers are on-site trying to plug the breach, but strong currents and continuous inflow are making the task difficult,” he said.

The flooding has caused extensive damage to standing crops, particularly paddy and maize, which were close to harvest. Farmers fear heavy financial losses as fields remain submerged and livestock have been displaced or lost. Preliminary estimates suggest that hundreds of acres of farmland may be affected.

Residents have expressed anger over what they allege is poor maintenance of the bundh. Some claim that repeated warnings about its weak structure were ignored by authorities. “We told officials last month that cracks were visible, but no action was taken. Now our homes and fields are under water,” said a farmer from one of the affected villages.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has directed officials to expedite rescue efforts and ensure immediate compensation for affected families. The state government has also announced that a special team will investigate the cause of the bundh failure to prevent future disasters.

Experts say such breaches are often the result of a combination of factors—aging infrastructure, illegal encroachments, and excessive pressure from rising river levels during monsoon. They recommend a long-term approach to flood control, including strengthening embankments, timely desilting of rivers, and establishing early warning systems for vulnerable areas.

With the weather department predicting more rain in the coming days, authorities remain on high alert. Relief camps are being stocked with additional supplies, and medical teams are on standby to prevent outbreaks of waterborne diseases.