High Alert in Ludhiana as Raging Satluj Threatens Villages; PM Modi to Survey Damage Today
High Alert in Ludhiana as Raging Satluj Threatens Villages; PM Modi to Survey Damage Today
Ludhiana, Punjab – September 9, 2025 – A sense of urgency and fear hangs over dozens of villages along the Satluj river in Ludhiana district as the river flows dangerously close to the breach level. Continuous heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of Himachal Pradesh has led to a massive influx of water downstream, placing immense pressure on the critical Dhussi Bundh, an earthen embankment that is the last line of defense for the region’s inhabitants.
The district administration has declared a high alert for over 50 villages, particularly in the Samrala, Machhiwara, and Koom Kalan areas. Water levels have been rising steadily, fueled by the release of excess water from the Bhakra Dam, which is nearing its maximum capacity. The raging currents of the Satluj are now just inches below the top of the embankment at several vulnerable points, threatening to inundate thousands of acres of agricultural land and numerous residential settlements.
Evacuation orders have been issued for several low-lying villages closest to the river, with residents being urged to move to safer locations and government-established relief camps. District officials, along with police personnel, are making announcements in the affected areas, working to persuade reluctant villagers to leave their homes and livestock behind.
In a remarkable and desperate show of community resilience, residents are working shoulder-to-shoulder with teams from the Indian Army and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). Through the night, under floodlights and a persistent drizzle, they have been engaged in a frantic effort to fortify the Dhussi Bundh. Thousands of sandbags are being filled and strategically placed along weakened stretches of the embankment to prevent a catastrophic breach.
“We have not slept for two days,” said Balwinder Singh, a resident of a village near Machhiwara, his clothes soaked and muddy. “This bundh is our only hope. If it breaks, we will lose everything – our homes, our fields, our entire livelihood. We will fight to save it until the very end.”
The joint effort showcases a grim determination, with army engineers providing technical expertise and heavy machinery, while villagers provide invaluable local knowledge and manpower.
Responding to the gravity of the situation, the Prime Minister’s Office has confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the flood-affected regions of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh today. He is scheduled to conduct an aerial survey of the devastation in the morning to get a firsthand assessment of the scale of the damage.
Following the survey, the Prime Minister is expected to meet with the Chief Ministers of both states and senior officials to review the ongoing relief and rescue operations. The visit is seen as a significant step to expedite central assistance and resources to the flood-hit states. Local authorities are hopeful that the high-profile visit will draw national attention to the plight of the people and ensure that all necessary support is provided to manage the crisis and aid in the subsequent recovery efforts.
