The North News
Chandigarh, August 29
“Drones are being used to trace people for evacuation, and also to deliver food packets and other essential items,” said Special DGP (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla, as Punjab battled widespread flooding caused by swelling rivers.
Days of heavy rainfall in the catchment areas have led to rising water levels in the Sutlej, Beas, Ravi and Ujh rivers, forcing more than 7,600 people to flee their homes. Punjab Police, backed by the Indian Army, Border Security Force (BSF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and civil authorities, have mounted large-scale relief and rescue operations across the state.
Districts including Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Fazilka and Ferozepur have been among the hardest hit. Shukla, who has been personally supervising the response, said police have set up relief camps where food and medicines are being provided. Cattle fodder has also been arranged for farmers struggling to save their livestock. To support evacuations, 20 army helicopters have been stationed in Punjab, with senior police officers in flood-hit districts ordered to remain in the field and directly oversee operations.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a four-day weather alert, warning of further heavy rainfall. Shukla said police and emergency services remained on high alert and were prepared to deal with any escalation in the crisis.
