PLAN OR PERISH

Rivers that water Punjab were already flowing at capacity due to heavy rain in upstream states, when a record August monsoon made them flood simultaneously. What fuelled the deluge?

- Mandeep Punia reports from Amritsar and Tarn Taran, Manoj Thakur from Patiala, with Raju Sajwan, Bhagirath, Vivek Mishra, Akshit Sangomla and Rohini Krishnamurthy in Delhi

EVENING WAS just about to fall when floods struck Machhiwal on August 26. The village in Punjab’s Amritsar district is 4 km from the Ravi river. At around 3.30 pm, government officials rushed to the village, warning of a flood. In half an hour, the swelling Ravi had engulfed Machhiwal with a speed and ferocity the village residents say they had never seen. Paramjit Singh’s body was found two days later a few kilometres from the spot. Even 10 days after the flood, Machhiwal remains under water. Everyone in the village has been affected by the flood. The disaster has left Paramjit Singh’s neighbour Mahinder Singh homeless and taken away his source of livelihood. The all-pervasive grief has brought about a solidarity among the village residents. Tarsem Singh’s family has taken shelter at Karm Singh’s home.