Cabinet Minister Harjot Bains Engaged in Relief and Rescue Operations in Villages along the Sutlej River
Bahadurjeet Singh/royalpatiala.in News/ Nangal, September 2 ,2025
Harjot Singh Bains, Cabinet Minister for Education and Information & Public Relations, visited villages situated along the banks of the Sutlej River to review flood-prevention measures. At relief centers, he directed officials and staff deployed there to perform their duties with full dedication and appealed to local youth clubs, women’s groups, AAP volunteers, Panchs, and Sarpanchs to cooperate with the administration. He said that appropriate arrangements had already been made in advance in the affected areas so that, if needed, relief could be provided to people efficiently and with a spirit of service.
Despite heavy rainfall, Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains reached riverside villages in the low-lying “belas” area using boats and motorcycles on water-affected paths. He assured people not to panic or believe in rumors, saying, “We are here on the ground with the administration and our teams; no effort will be spared in protecting your lives and property.”
During his visit to villages near the river in his constituency, he reviewed the strengthening of canal and river embankments. He inspected the “thokars” (barriers) and embankments constructed in the villages and directed immediate measures at vulnerable spots where erosion or damage could occur to prevent any possible loss of life or property.
Reiterating the Punjab Government’s commitment, the minister said that relief centers had been set up for the convenience of residents in potentially flood-affected areas. These centers would ensure not only medical facilities but also all essential assistance. He said that the relief centers were already functional, and as a precaution, residents of sensitive areas could be shifted there if required. Meeting with families in vulnerable areas, he reassured them that there was no need to panic, as the Punjab Government stood firmly with them.
The minister added that a control room was active 24/7 to respond to any situation, with helpline number 87279-62441. He said that with the inflow of water from Himachal Pradesh, the water level in the Sutlej and Bhakra Dam would rise further, making precautionary measures necessary. He appealed to residents of low-lying and flood-prone areas to avoid going near the riverbanks and to move to established relief camps if conditions worsen.
Bains further urged people to avoid gathering on the Sutlej embankments without reason. He informed that administrative teams were patrolling sensitive areas day and night while spreading awareness among people. He explained that due to continuous rainfall in Himachal Pradesh and rising dam levels, excess water was being released into the Sutlej. The situation was under control so far, but extra caution was required in the coming days.
On this occasion, SDM Sachin Pathak, SHO Simranjit Singh, Daljit Singh Kaka, Nitin Basowal, Advocate Nishat Gupta, AAP volunteers, AAP leaders, and officials from various departments were present.
