Punjab Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal stated that the Punjab government is fully equipped to handle the monsoon, with necessary arrangements in place. During a visit to Pong Dam in Himachal Pradesh, the minister highlighted the current water level at 1,322 ft, six feet lower than the level recorded last year on the same day. He emphasized the government’s commitment to safeguarding Punjab residents from flood-related challenges during the monsoon, ensuring the protection of lives, agricultural lands, and public infrastructure.
The minister, accompanied by senior officials, conducted a thorough assessment of flood protection and drainage management activities in the Doaba region. Discussions were held with officials to evaluate the progress of ongoing and completed works, aiming to enhance preparedness for the upcoming days. Goyal directed officials to maintain constant vigilance over critical flood-prone areas, rivers, drains, embankments, and flood protection structures, emphasizing the importance of immediate corrective actions to address vulnerabilities and prevent inconvenience to the public.
Instructing officers to expedite desilting operations before the peak monsoon period, the minister emphasized the timely completion of all necessary works to ensure efficient drainage and prevent waterlogging during heavy rainfall. The focus remains on implementing flood mitigation measures, including drain cleaning, embankment reinforcement, and flood control gate operations, to enhance the region’s resilience against monsoon challenges.
