May take a month for students to get back to schools | Holidays till July 16 in state
Aakanksha N Bhardwaj
Jalandhar, July 13
Nearly 25 government schools in flood-hit Lohian block are submerged, some are even in up to 8-foot deep water. Even though the government has extended the date of school opening to July 16, it will take nearly a month for students to get back to their schools.
A Tribune team visited the deluge-affected villages of Mundi Cholian, Madala Channa, Nawan Pind (Khalewal), Gidderpindi and Mehrajwala and found the schools inundated. Teachers are fearing collapsed washrooms, walls and crippled infrastructure, including desks, chairs, and spoiled ration that was kept for mid-day meals, on the experience based on 2019 floods.
The teachers are also worried about the academic loss the students may face just like before. Kulwinder Singh, head teacher from Government Middle School, Mundi Cholian, says he had kept the school record and computers at safer places, but furniture and desks will definitely get damaged. “There will be sludge all around. Normalcy will not return soon,” he says.
Teacher from government school Madala, Channa, Deepak says, “Last time, three of the school toilets had collapsed and we had to get these rebuilt,” he said.
Block Primary Education Officer Rajesh says that losses will be assessed once water recedes completely.
Meanwhile, the government has extended holidays in schools till July 16. Education Minister Harjot Bains tweeted that all government, aided and private schools would remain closed till July 16.
Ghaggar flows 5 ft above danger mark in Sangrur
Parvesh Sharma
Sangrur, July 13
With two more breaches in Ghaggar at Moonak and Khanauri, Sangrur, situation has gone from bad to worse.
As a result, surrounding villages, including Salemgarh, Makraud Sahib, Hamigarh, Surjan Bhaini and Phullad and have been submerged in water.
The water level of raging Ghaggar has crossed 753 ft (748 ft danger mark), which has also inundated the Patran-Khanauri road. Rishi Ram, sarpanch, Banarasi village, said, “The Ghaggar developed two breaches near Banarasi village yesterday night. Though we are trying to plug the breaches, the water is flowing at high speed.”
Relief camps set up
The Ghaggar is overflowing at various places. The water level has reached 753 ft, the highest-ever so far. Our teams are working hard to plug all four breaches. We have made arrangements to shift affected residents to relief camps. — Jitendra Jorwal, Sangrur DC
On July 11, three breaches were reported at Makraud Sahib (over 100 ft), Mandavi and Phullad village. The current of water is such that the teams of the NDRF, the Army and volunteers are finding it difficult to plug the breaches.
Roshan, a resident of Moonak, said, “Water will reach Moonak city within some hours as the authorities have failed to make arranagements.”
Another resident, Sulakhan Singh, said, “I have kept furniture and other items at my relative’s house in Lehra. Floods had damaged everything at my house five years ago.”
Jitendra Jorwal, Deputy Commissioner, Sangrur, said, “The Ghaggar is overflowing at various places. The water level has reached 753 ft. Our teams are working hard to plug all four breaches. We have made arrangements to shift affected residents to relief camps.”