GURDASPUR: The bridge connecting Chak Sharif and Mian Khan in Punjab's Gurdaspur district has sustained severe damage leading to its structural collapse due to flooding following which the district administration has taken the precautionary measure of suspending all vehicular movement on the bridge to prevent any potential untoward incidents.
Deputy commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal informed that the bridge, situated over a drainage channel connecting the two villages, sustained damage as a result of the substantial water flow within the drain following which, the Public Works Department declared it unsafe and suspended all traffic movement across it.
He said that there were three viable alternative routes available to facilitate traffic between these locations.
DC informed that multiple teams were actively involved in the process of plugging the breach in the dhussi bundh, which spans approximately 300 feet in width near Jagatpur Tanda village.
He expressed hope regarding the sealing of breach in the near future. Himanshu said that he himself visited Jagatpur Tanda to assess the ongoing efforts.
"The administration has coordinated the supply of essential materials such as sandbags, soil, and iron net. In addition to the hired laborers, a considerable number of local social welfare organizations and youth volunteers are contributing to the collaborative endeavor of filling the breach” he said.
A contingent of 45 personnel from the Army's flood relief team, under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel V K Singh, have established their relief base at Purana Shala. This team has been organized into four units assisting people who required aid. In addition, the army has established a dedicated medical facility within Purana Shala to offer essential medical services to the affected population in the villages such as Dauwal, Kishanpur, Bhaini Paswal, and others.
Dr. Sham Singh, Director of the Animal Husbandry Department informed that relief efforts were being taken to safeguard the region's livestock. Dedicated teams from the department were actively present at the affected site, implementing strategic measures to avert potential disease outbreaks among the animals adding that the arrangements were being made for the provision of essential fodder to maintain the well-being of the livestock.
Himanshu informed that presently 37 people had taken shelter in the Purana Shala relief camp and the water was receding from the affected villages.
Meanwhile, cabinet minister Lal Chand Kataruchak visited the affected villages to assess the damage caused by the floods and informed that the Punjab government had already ordered to conduct special girdawari’s so as to pay compensation to the affected people.
