5 killed in different house-collapse incidents, one drowned in Fazilka

Five people died, one drowned, and two sustained injuries in various parts of Fazilka district following continuous rain since Thursday morning while normal life in various towns of Ferozepur as well as Fazilka districts got adversely affected because majority of areas, mainly urban, remained submerged.

Besides, about 18 goats were killed as the wall of a house caved in a village of the Fazilka district.Suction pumps were put into use to de-water the submerged areas in the evening in both the districts.

According to information, Sikander Singh, a labourer, residing at Ghuabya village in Jalalabad, along with his grandson Shivam, was sleeping in his house when the roof collapsed and both were killed.

Meanwhile, Santo Bai at Lalle Basti in Jalalabad, also died due to roof collapse while two persons died at Alina village and Shatterwala in Fazilka district due to fall of the roofs of their houses. Besides, a youth drowned when he dared to swim across a nullah at Dhandikadim village.

Though rain brought relief to the people from increased humidity, but simultaneously due to lack of drainage and adequate sewerage system, normal life was disrupted badly.

The worst-affected areas at Abohar included Circular road, Gaushala road, Anand Nagri, Nanak Nagri, Gobind Nagri, Suraj Nagri, the bus stand. Water even entered several houses in Jain Nagri, Durga Nagri, Arya Nagri and Chandigarh colony and residents had no option but to move to their relatives or close aides for shelter.

The office of CDPO of Khuhian Servor block at Jain Nagri was submerged damaging official record and the wall of a local de-addiction centre also caved in.

About a dozen houses collapsed at Amarpura, Dangerkhera, Dhani Vishesharnath, Kala Tibba and Alamgarh villages in Abohar while water supply pumps at Gidderawali and Khandhwala villages also got submerged disrupting the water supply to various areas.

Om Dass of Brahmnagri sustained injuries when he got buried under the debris of a house which fell down Thursday midnight and was admitted to the local civil hospital.

About 18 goats of Phulla Ram of Kerekhera were killed when the roof of a room of his house fell on them.Besides crops in various parts of the region were also damaged.

Meanwhile, uninterrupted rain caused choking of the sewerage system in majority of urban areas of Ferozepur and Fazilka cities while commuters, especially on two-wheelers and on foot, had a tough time to reach their destinations.

Manjit Singh Brar, deputy commissioner, said that a few minor canals had also breached due to strong floods.

Abohar town had been divided into ten parts and various pumps had been installed to de-water the area.

The worst affected were low-lying areas in both the cities. To ensure control the situation, special medical teams had been formed and sent to the affected areas, added the DC.

The deceased, besides others who had suffered any type of loss, would be given due compensation,, said the DC.