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Avoidable floods in Punjab, Haryana

Successive governments in Punjab have failed to construct anti-flood bunds with stones and brick lining at base. Owing to poor maintenance, the bunds give up due to floods once in 10 years or so. Bunds should be promptly strengthened at least in the most flood-prone stretches.

Secondly, the plugging methods are archaic. Plastic sand bags have replaced jute bags. But we should go in for light pre-fabricated structures made of composite material to withstand the fury of gushing flood. We need module-based structures to plug different gaps with an average depth of 35-50 feet formed due to erosion. These structures should be light to help vehicles ferry them on narrow bunds and link roads.

Thirdly, the Army is best suited for evacuation of people and not plugging of gaps in bunds. It neither has the expertise nor the material to plug breaches. It can provide ready manpower, medical covers and officers for control and coordination.

Lt-Col JASJIT SINGH GILL (retd), Deputy Director, Sainik Welfare, Moga

II

I read the editorial, “Avoidable floods” (Aug 19). The floodwaters of the Sutlej have affected hundreds of villages in Kapurthala, Jalandhar and Moga districts. The irrigation department officials are notoriously corrupt. They never inspect and survey the bunds.

If you write a dozen letters to the district administration or the irrigation department about the weak state of a particular bund, nobody takes prompt remedial action. If once a top official is dismissed for such lapses, others will sit up and do the needful. As no action is taken against the defaulting officers, they have become bold and are busy in lining their pockets.

The government has no contingency plans even on paper, let alone keeping the men, material and transport ready for any emergency. Everywhere the local people are left to fend for themselves or depend upon some charitable organisation. The country is passing through functioning anarchy.

Major NARINDER SINGH JALLO (retd), Mohali

III

The unprecedented floods have affected Haryana very badly. Over 16,000 hectares of low lying areas in three districts — Bhiwani’s 36 villages and 30 per cent area; Jhajjar’s 30 villages and 50 per cent area); and Rohtak’s 20 villages and 20 per cent area. Bhiwani’s urban township is worst hit. It reminds one of the 1995 flood devastation when the Rohtak township became a vast lake.

Dr B.S. TANWAR, Chief Engineer (retd),Kurukshetra