Waterlogging at the Wagah Border

AMRITSAR: A viral video showing the Wagah border’s parade area on the Pakistani side has raised concerns. The video shows Rangers standing in knee-deep water, making many uncomfortable, while the Indian side appears neat and dry. In response, Pakistan Points Finger at India, blaming the elevation of GT Road for the flooding issues. 🌧️

Pakistan has reacted by blaming India. They say that the elevation of the Grand Trunk Road on India’s side is the reason for the water problem on their side. However, the truth is a bit different.

What India Has Done

India has taken steps to prevent such issues. They have set up a rainwater harvesting system. This system helps collect rainwater and manage drainage better. Thanks to these improvements, there was no waterlogging at the Indian side during the recent rains.

Heavy Rains and Flooding

Recently, heavy rainfall hit the region on August 8 and 9. This caused severe flooding on the Pakistani side. In contrast, the Indian side managed to stay mostly dry. Only a small area near the international border gates faced some water accumulation.

Pakistan’s Efforts to Manage Water

Due to the problems caused by flooding, Pakistan has raised the elevation of GT Road on their side. They hoped this would help manage how water flows away during heavy rains.

However, even with these changes, the area near the parade was still flooded. Sandbags were piled up at various points ahead of the daily flag ceremony. This flooding is a clear sign of the struggle Pakistan faces with the ongoing rains.

What the Border Forces Say

Atul Fulzele, the Inspector General of the Border Security Force (BSF) for Punjab, stated that the heavy rain on August 8 and 9 caused the major flooding. The video likely showed conditions from that time. He reported, “There has been no waterlogging at any of the three sites of the ceremonial flag-lowering ceremonies – Attari, Hussainiwala, and Sadqi.”

However, conditions were not the same at all locations. Many border outposts (BoPs) on the Punjab Frontier were affected by flooding. Some areas had to be evacuated due to the heavy rain.

Ongoing Water Management Issues

The situation also highlights how seasonal monsoon patterns impact many regions, including Punjab. Monsoons bring a lot of rain, which can lead to both heavy flooding and water management problems.

Though both countries share the responsibility of managing water around this region, the recent events have brought some blame game. Pakistan’s elevation of their roads has not been enough to fix the issue, clearly visible from the viral video.

Conclusion

The incident at the Wagah border serves as a reminder of how serious water management can be. While Pakistan Points Finger at India, both nations need to work together to find better solutions and help each other during the challenging monsoon season.🌧️🤝

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Urgent Flood Alert for Mohali Residents

On Friday morning, the SAS Nagar administration issued a Flood Warning in Mohali after the Ghaggar River’s water discharge crossed 70,000 cusecs at 8 AM. Local officials are concerned about the safety of nearby villages.

Villages on Alert

The warning affects nine villages in the Dera Bassi area. These villages are:

• Tiwana
• Khajoor Mandi
• Sadhanpur
• Sarsini
• Alamgir
• Dangdhera
• Mubarikpur
• Mirpur
• Bakarpur

Residents in these areas are advised to stay alert. They should prepare to move to safer locations if needed. The heavy rains in the catchment area and the opening of Sukhna Lake’s floodgates have caused the water levels to rise.

Safety Measures for Residents

The administration has given clear instructions to the people:

• Avoid going near the riverbanks.
• Move livestock to higher ground.
• Follow the updates from the control rooms.

Families should keep important documents and medicines ready. It’s also important to help the elderly and children during any evacuation process.

Further Instructions Awaited

Local officials say they will provide more instructions if the situation worsens. Residents should rely on verified sources for updates. They should not attempt to cross flooded roads, especially inundated causeways.

Contact Information

For updates, residents can contact:

• DC office control room at 0172-2219506
• Mobile: 76580-51209
• Dera Bassi office: 01762-28322

Concern Over Infrastructure

The administration has taken steps to manage the water flow from Sukhna Lake. The floodgates of Sukhna Lake have been opened several times this monsoon season. This allows excess water to flow into the Ghaggar River, upping the risk of flooding.

There have been issues with local choke points. One spot, the Mubarikpur causeway, has experienced many closures due to overflowing water. This situation shows how vulnerable Dera Bassi’s infrastructure is during heavy rainfall.

Recent Measures and Monitoring

After significant damage last year, the embankments near Tiwana have been strengthened. These improvements have helped manage the recent high water flows. However, some areas still need close monitoring for erosion. The water resources department has installed stone revetments and studs along these particular stretches this monsoon.

Conclusion

The situation remains serious for those living by the Ghaggar River. With heavy rain continuing and the risk of flooding high, the SAS Nagar administration’s warning serves as a crucial alert for local residents. Everyone should stay informed and prepared to ensure their safety. Remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry! 🌧️

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Panchkula Municipal Corporation’s Recent Decision

The Panchkula steps back from Puppy-Free Zones (PFZ) after deciding not to move forward with the idea. This decision came during a meeting held on a Thursday, which included important attendees like MC commissioner RK Singh, the deputy director of the animal husbandry department, and members of the dog monitoring committee. A local NGO was also present.

Why the Proposal Was Shelved

One main reason for stopping the Puppy-Free Zones proposal is the lack of clear rules or court orders to support it. The commissioner explained that any plan to remove puppies from the streets needs to follow existing procedures. Since there are no such rules, the proposal was placed on hold.

Concerns About Puppy Sterilization

Another topic discussed was the age at which puppies should be sterilized. This raised many concerns among the members present. The NGO suggested starting a pilot project in two sectors. They wanted to pick up puppies for vaccination and then sterilize them when they are older.

Animal Birth Control Program

Panchkula has its own animal birth control (ABC) program. This program began in 2021 and has been successful in sterilizing approximately 4,000 dogs. Currently, the pace of sterilization is between 8 to 12 dogs each day. MC councillor Akshay Deep Chaudhary shared this information as a member of the dog monitoring committee.

Challenges During Monsoon Season

However, the sterilization drive faced challenges during the monsoon season. It was temporarily paused to prevent post-operative infections. Keeping dogs for more than ten days can be difficult during this time, which made it necessary to halt the program.

NGO’s Offer to Assist

Despite the setback with the Puppy-Free Zones, the NGO offered to help the MC with its ongoing drive to sterilize and vaccinate dogs. They proposed that local feeders and NGOs could help catch the stray dogs. The NGO believes that their good relationship with the dogs might make them less aggressive. This would help their teams handle the dogs more easily for both vaccination and sterilization.

The Role of Local Feeders

Local feeders play an important part in this plan. They regularly feed the stray dogs and can help catch them. This close bond is important for calm handling. Especially for aggressive dogs or mothers with puppies, having someone they know can make a big difference.

Future of Animal Welfare in Panchkula

As for the future, the MC’s ABC program continues to run smoothly. It is vital for managing the stray dog population in Panchkula. The successful sterilization of 4,000 dogs shows that the efforts are paying off.

With the cooperation of NGOs and local citizens, it is hoped that the challenges faced can be overcome. Everyone wants to create a safer and healthier environment for both the dogs and the community.

Importance of Animal Welfare

Animal welfare is crucial in any community. It ensures that stray dogs are treated with kindness and care. Sterilization helps control the dog population, reducing the number of homeless dogs on the streets. This makes neighborhoods safer for everyone, especially children.

Conclusion

The Panchkula Municipal Corporation’s decision to put the Puppy-Free Zones proposal on hold shows the importance of following rules. By Panchkula steps back from Puppy-Free Zones, the focus can remain on continued efforts in animal welfare. With ongoing programs like the ABC and collaborations with local organizations, there is hope for a brighter future for both stray dogs and Panchkula’s community.

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