Pathankot— Continuous heavy rainfall has triggered a severe flood situation in Punjab, with the Madhopur Headworks facing a major breach after one of its floodgates collapsed on Wednesday.
Officials said nearly 50 people were trapped following the incident. Rescue operations are underway with helicopters pressed into service. One employee has been reported missing; he had reportedly gone to repair a malfunctioning gate when the floodgate gave way.
With the breach, water from the dam is gushing directly into the Ravi river at high speed, intensifying the crisis. The administration has been placed on high alert as floodwaters continue to rise.
In Sangrur, the Ghaggar river has also reached dangerous levels, climbing rapidly to 745 feet. Across Punjab, heavy rains combined with water releases from dams have inundated seven districts — Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Ferozepur, and Fazilka — submerging more than 150 villages.
Rescue and relief efforts are being carried out by the NDRF, SDRF, and Army teams. So far, 92 people have been safely evacuated from various locations. Meanwhile, a breach in the Upper Bari Doab Canal (UBDC) near the Pathankot–Jammu highway has led to water entering highways and residential colonies.
The Punjab government has cancelled leaves of all officials and staff in flood-hit areas and set up control rooms across districts. Schools have been closed till August 30.
