Chandigarh August 17 –The water in the Punjab rivers has begun to show signs of receding, giving hope for an early end to the flood menace in the state. The level of water in most Punjab rivers is slowly declining and if there is no major renewed rainfall in the region, the situation could be brought under control very soon.
Stating this, Mr. Harcharan Bains, Media Advisor to Chief Minster Punjab, Mr. Parkash Singh Badal said here this evening that army and civil authorities had already made head way in plugging the breaches in water courses in Jalandhar and Moga districts. "Although we are faced with a problem of rehabilitation and rescue, there is no cause for panic," he said.
The Chief Minister, said Mr. Bains, had had ordered fresh girdwaris to assess the loss caused by floods. These girdawaris would be completed as soon as flood water recedes. Mr. Badal has issued strict instructions for a round the rehabilitation work. Officials from areas adjoining the flood affected districts have also been mobilized so that there is no let up in relief and rehabilitation activity. Mr. Badal spoke to the Union Home Minister Mr. Shiv Raj Patil asking to expedite central relief for the state for flood fighting measures.
Mr. Badal also urged Mr. Patil to send a central team to make an on the spot assessment of the damage done by flood waters in the state, said Mr. Bains.