New Delhi: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday inspected flood-affected areas of Hoshiarpur in Gurdaspur district through a boat. The state is currently facing fresh flooding with many areas of the Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, and Rupnagar districts submerged following the release of excess water from the Pong and the Bhakra dams.
In a video shared by news agency PTI, he can be seen wearing a life jacket, ferrying on a raft to monitor the situation.
Notably, Punjab is witnessing floods for the second time in just over a month.
Punjab CM told reporters, "It has not rained here. The water is coming from Himachal. Our officials are in touch with Himachal Pradesh Government, BBMB. Water has entered the low-lying areas. There is no danger... We will give compensation to those who have suffered any loss."
On Wednesday, he had said that his government is keeping a close watch on the situation, adding that relief and rescue operations are underway in the flood-hit areas, reported news agency PTI.
Meanwhile, the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), which manages the Bhakra and the Pong dams, had said on Wednesday that it will release excess water in a controlled manner for the next four to five days to take the level in their reservoirs to a safe level.
As per the agency, the Bhakra dam on the Sutlej River and the Pong dam on the Beas River — both in Himachal Pradesh — are brimming after heavy rain in their respective catchment areas.
Mann said the situation in Punjab is fully under control and that the state government is monitoring the situation. He has also directed his ministers to visit the flood-hit areas.
Mann assured people that there is no need to panic as the state government is in constant contact with the Himachal Pradesh government and the BBMB on the release of excess water.