Plugging breaches in the protective bundhs along the Ravi river in Ajnala sub-division has emerged as a daunting task for the district administration, particularly in the flood-hit Ramdass belt.
Officials said that as many as 23 breaches have been identified in different villages, with the maximum reported in and around Ramdass town. While work on plugging several points is underway, 11 of the breaches remained inaccessible due to the difficult terrain and marshy ground.
“We can reach these (inaccessible) breaches once the other breaches in bundhs leading to them are plugged,” said Mahesh Singh, Superintending Engineer, Drainage Department, Irrigation, while talking to The Tribune.
District authorities, aided by local villagers, volunteers from organisations including Kar Sewa Guru Ka Bagh, Kar Sewa Sampardai, Sarhali and Kar Sewa Baba Jagtar Singh, Tarn Taran Wale, have been working round-the-clock to reconstruct Dussi Bundhs by plugging the breaches apart from strengthening embankments in order to prevent further damage. However, marshy ground conditions are slowing down the progress.
Besides Ghonewala and Machhiwala villages, the breaches were also reported in Kamalpur, Nissoke, Malakpur, Kot Rajada etc. The most difficult was the plugging of the 500-feet-long breach at Ghonewal which is being done by Kar Sewa Guru Ka Bagh. The breach was around 50-feet deep in addition to 20 feet to reach the existing Dhussi Bundh.
Despite the difficulties, the work to plug the breaches continues with a mix of heavy machinery, manual effort and the resilience of local residents. As the machines are unable to reach at many sites, villagers are using tractors, trolleys and manually carrying bags of soil and sandbags to vulnerable points. Women and children are also helping by preparing food and water for those working on the embankments.
Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney, who has become the face of rescue and relief operations because of her humane touch during these operations, admits that without community participation, the task would have been even more challenging.
“The administration is working on a war footing, but the real strength lies in how villagers have come together. Their spirit is inspiring,” she said.