Punjab Water Resources Minister Goyal on Tuesday instructed all Deputy Commissioners to keep strict, round-the-clock vigilance along river embankments.
Minister Goyal was chairing a detailed video conference to review the flood situation across affected districts. The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioners of Hoshiarpur, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Ferozepur, and Fazilka, along with all Executive Engineers (XENs) and Superintending Engineers (SEs) of the Drainage Department. The Minister was joined by Principal Secretary Krishan Kumar and Chief Engineer (Drainage) Hardeep Singh Mendiratta.
Goyal noted that heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas of Himachal Pradesh has led to rising water levels in Punjab’s rivers, calling for heightened vigilance.
ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੇ ਜਲ ਸਰੋਤ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਬਰਿੰਦਰ ਕੁਮਾਰ ਗੋਇਲ ਨੇ ਸੂਬੇ ਦੇ ਪ੍ਰਭਾਵਿਤ ਜ਼ਿਲ੍ਹਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੜ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਸਥਿਤੀ ਬਾਰੇ ਸਮੀਖਿਆ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਉੱਚ-ਪੱਧਰੀ ਵੀਡੀਓ ਕਾਨਫਰੰਸਿੰਗ ਮੀਟਿੰਗ ਕੀਤੀ। ਮੀਟਿੰਗ ਦੌਰਾਨ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਡਿਪਟੀ ਕਮਿਸ਼ਨਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਆਪੋ-ਆਪਣੇ ਅਧਿਕਾਰ ਖੇਤਰਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਦਰਿਆਵਾਂ ਦੇ ਕੰਢਿਆਂ 'ਤੇ ਦਿਨ-ਰਾਤ ਸਖ਼ਤ ਨਿਗਰਾਨੀ ਯਕੀਨੀ ਬਣਾਉਣ ਸਣੇ… pic.twitter.com/nVmEJC4Drn
— Government of Punjab (@PbGovtIndia) August 19, 2025
He directed all DCs to ensure strict 24×7 surveillance on embankments in their districts, with duty rosters maintained and adhered to without exception for smooth monitoring.
During the review, Deputy Commissioners apprised the Minister of the situation in their respective areas. Goyal ordered the deployment of dedicated monitoring teams at vulnerable points and stressed that sector-wise division of flood-prone zones would help ensure rapid response and timely action.
He also instructed authorities to set up well-equipped relief camps with shelter, food, and medical aid for displaced people, while continuously assessing the situation and implementing preventive measures.
The Minister further emphasized the need for constant communication between district administrations and the Water Resources Department to ensure a fully coordinated response across all affected regions.