07092025-LT-01.qxd 9/7/2025 12:59 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune PUNJAB BOYS STUN R’STHAN IN BASKETBALL C’SHIP CHECK WATER INFLOW FROM OUTER AREAS, ADMN URGED MANKIRT AULAKH PLEDGES CRORES, TRACTORS & HOPE Punjab stunned defending champions Rajasthan in boys’ categoryof junior national basketball meet. P2 Farmers have urged admn to protect crops from potential risk of inflow of floodwater from other areas. P3 The Punjabi singer has pledged ~5 crore and 100 tractors to support flood-hit people across Punjab. P4 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 33°C | MIN 24°C YESTERDAY MAX 33°C | MIN 23°C SUNSET SUNDAY 6.39 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 6:03 AM » SUNDAY | 7 SEPTEMBER 2025 | LUDHIANA Health Dept deploys 21 medical teams in flood-prone zones Tribune News Service NDRF divers patrol in the Sutlej; and (right) devotees perform rituals on the riverbank, near Ladhowal, before immersing the idol of Lord Ganesha in the river. HIMANSHU MAHAJAN & ASHWANI DHIMAN NDRF motorboats begin patrolling in Sutlej Jawans ensure safety of devotees also on last day of immersing Lord Ganesha’s idols Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, September 6 The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in coordination with the Ludhiana police has deployed two motorboats in the Sutlej near Ladhowal to prevent any untoward incident in the imminent flood situation. It is learnt that today is the last day of immersion of idols of Lord Ganesha and NDRF teams, along with the police, have also Plot owners break MC seals, booked Ludhiana, September 6 The Ludhiana police on Friday registered two cases as residents broke seals of plots sealed by the Municipal Corporation (MC). Two residential plots were sealed by the corporation after the same were being used for commercial purposes. The cases were registered on the complaint of the Municipal Town Planner. Civic body had sealed residential plots due to their commercial use The first case was registered against plot owner Kuldeep Singh, who had converted his residential plot near Krishna Mandir into commercial one without the permission of the corporation. The administration had sealed the plot on July 17. The owner had broken the seal of the MC on his own and started the construction again due to which the case was registered. The second case was registered against Sanu Singla, who had also converted his residential plot near Krishna Mandir 18, into commercial use without the permission of the MC. The plot was sealed on July 17 but the owner had broken the seal and started construction again. The police said after registering cases, the Ludhiana police had initially started investigation. — TNS HEALTH & WELLNESS The Tribune is starting a Q and A column to address your health-related queries. Please mail your questions (not exceeding 40 words) at healthandwellness@tribunemail.com. The Tribune’s panel of doctors will answer all your healthrelated concerns. intensified patrolling on the banks to prevent devotees from going deep in the river for immersing idols. Boats were deployed on Saturday morning and on each boat, NDRF jawans, who are also stated to be perfect swimmers, are conducting patrolling. Station House Officer, Ladhowal police station, sub-inspector Gurshinder Kaur told The Tribune that the police had already increased vigil on the banks of the Sutlej for the past two days as devotees were trying to enter the river where water current was strong or going near blind points where the depth of the water body could not be judged. “On Saturday, two motorboats were deployed in the river by NDRF on the request of the police. The NDRF jawans are patrolling in the Sutlej to prevent devotees from going deep into the river. Streamline garbage lifting, officials told Tribune News Service Ludhiana, September 6 For facilitating residents and streamlining movement of traffic, Deputy Mayor Prince Johar inspected the static compactor site near the Dugri canal bridge while the city witnessed rainfall on Saturday. The Deputy Mayor supervised lifting of garbage from the site and directed the officials concerned to ensure regular lifting of garbage. Johar said lifting of garbage got affected due to heavy rainfall witnessed in the city in the Dy Mayor inspects static compactor site near Dugri canal bridge past few days. But the officials concerned had been directed to ensure that no garbage was dumped in the open and timely lifting of the same was done so that the public should not face any trouble. The Deputy Mayor said they were regularly monitoring the situation and it was being ensured that the people should not face any issues at the ground level. Though the police have already stationed personnel at several points where devotees are not allowed to immerse idols due to safety reasons, the motorboats are like an added safety for the devotees to prevent any tragedy,” the SHO said. She said some people also roam on the banks of the Sutlej without any reason or for clicking photos, hence, putting their lives at risk. The NDRF jawans patrolling on motorboats and police personnel doing foot patrolling on the banks are keeping tabs on such activities to prevent any mishap. The flood situation in the state has disheartened devotees celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi this year. Celebrations of the immersion of Lord Ganesh idol, which used to be done with huge pomp and show, has now been toned down by devotees due to the strictness by the district administration and deployment of policemen to prevent devotees from getting near points at the river where water current is strong and prevent any mishap. Since Saturday was the last day to immerse the idols, as per sources, compared to last year, lesser number of people have visited the Sutlej for the rituals as most of them opted to immerse idols in canals. Ludhiana, September 6 Following the directions of the district administration, Civil Surgeon Ramandeep Kaur has deployed 21 medical teams — nine in urban areas and 12 in rural areas — along with special medical camps across flood-prone zones to ensure public safety and health awareness. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and adhere to health advisories. For assistance or emergencies, the District Health Control Room can be reached at 0161-2444193 or through helplines 104 (public health) and 108 (ambulance). The Health Department’s teams and camps are providing urgent medical care, distributing safe drinking water supplies and making people aware of prevention of water-borne diseases and other flood-related health hazards. “Our teams are on a high alert and working around the clock to support the public. Please follow the advisories to ensure the safety of your family and community,” said Dr Kaur. She said do drink only boiled or chlorinated water Cop faces action for arguing with minister’s OSD, trader during raid Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, September 6 A joint raid by a copyright firm and the police at a grocery wholesaler’s shop in Khanna on Saturday became a cause of controversy. The team of Speed Search Network Limited, along with police, took action against Vijay Kumar-Rakesh Kumar Firm. The officials seized goods worth lakhs of rupees and declared the same fake. During the action, Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond’s OSD Karun Arora reached the spot and had a heated argument with sub-inspector Sanjam Pratap Singh Dhillon as the former alleged that the police and the raid team were trying to rob the trader. Arora also had heated arguments with SHO Vinod Kumar. After the incident, SSP Jyoti Yadav Bains sent DSP Amritpal Singh Bhaati to the spot. Later, city police station SHO Vinod Kumar was sent to the Police Lines. He was accused of forcibly taking away the shop’s DVR and holding unnecessary arguments with the shopkeeper and the OSD. As per information, the copyright raid was conducted after samples of some products purchased from the shop failed tests. The trader, Nitin Garg, called it blackmailing by the copyright team. He said: “I never do work without bills.” Garg had joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) with his family a few days ago. Minister Tarunpreet Sond himself went to his house for the same. The shopkeeper said the copyright team represen- tative was not having any licence to conduct raids and the team was trying to blackmail him. The police should conduct a probe against the copyright team members and take action against them. DSP Amritpal Singh Bhaati confirmed that Station House officer Vinod Kumar had initially gone to the grocery shop along with the copyright team and he had lost his cool, due to which, he was sent to the Police Lines and a departmental inquiry was ordered against the police official. EMERGENCY NUMBERS ■ District Health Control Room: 0161-2444193 ■ Punjab Health Helpline: 104 ■ Ambulance: 108 and keep it covered. Wash hands with soap, especially before meals and after using toilet. Use protective gear such as boots and gloves, if coming in contact with floodwater. Sleep under mosquito nets and wear long clothing to avoid mosquito bites. Attend health camps for checkups, ORS packets and further advice. Don’t walk barefoot or wade unnecessarily in floodwater. Avoid drinking unfiltered or suspicious water. Don’t leave food uncovered or consume perished food. Never allow stagnant water or garbage to accumulate near your home. Refrain from spreading unverified information or rumours. The department will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide timely updates. Residents in affected areas are urged to act quickly and responsibly, keeping health priorities foremost during the natural emergency. Father, son booked for attacking two brothers on court premises Ludhiana, September 6 The Ludhiana rural police booked a man and his son on Saturday for attacking two elderly brothers in a domestic dispute case in a court in Jagraon. The suspects, Harinder Singh and his father Jarnail Singh, attacked the two brothers from the rear. They pushed Harpal Singh down and beat him up. When his brother Iqbal Singh tried to save him, they removed his turban and dragged him by pulling his hair. The incident occurred on September 4 when Harpal was going to the lawyers’ chambers with his brother Iqbal. When the suspects attacked them, people saved the victims. — TNS Rain brings back fear among residents staying along Buddha Nullah Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, September 6 Just a day after the city basked in a brief sunshine, heavy morning showers followed by continuous rainfall have reignited fear among residents staying along the Buddha Nullah. With more rain predicted on Sunday, those staying in lowlying areas are bracing for the worst — haunted by the devastation they endured earlier this week. Residents have now turn to God, praying for mercy so that they do not have to face more hard days ahead. Though civic body teams have been working to clear waste, stinch lingers inside homes in colonies such as Dhoka Mohalla, Dharampura, Shivaji Nagar and Kashmir Nagar. Despite the water accumulating in small volumes, persistent puddles dotted streets of these low-lying areas, stir- Residents drain out dirty water from a street in Dhoka Mohalla; and (right) a man shows his belongings that got ruined after rainwater entered his house. INDERJEET VERMA ring unease among residents. Locals were seen mopping the streets with whatever tools they could find, their efforts reflecting frustration and resilience. Meanwhile, the Municipal Corporation teams are working, with cranes operating around the clock to remove heaps of garbage and sludge. The clean-up drive, though vigorous, faced the challenges of overwhelming waste and stagnant water, remnants of the recent downpour and the overflowing Buddha Nullah. “Every monsoon, it’s the same situation,” said Ramesh Kumar of Dhoka Mohalla. In areas such as Shivpuri c m y b and Kashmir Nagar, the stench of sewage mixed with slush made even stepping outside a health hazard. Yet, amid the muck, there was movement — of machines, people and hope. Gita Devi from Dhoka Mohalla said she had been praying day and night for the rain to stop. “It will prove havoc for us,” she said, recalling how toxic water from the Buddha Nullah had entered her home a few days ago. Hardeep Singh, another local resident, said: “We feel ignored and left out in the city. By God’s grace, Ludhiana was spared from full-blown floods but the fury we’re going through is unimaginable. Politicians come during elections and forget us afterwards. What we faced in recent days was hell-like situation. The government must think about a permanent solution.” Gurcharan Kaur, another resident, lights a holy jot inside her house every day, hoping to keep the disaster at bay. “We are only praying to the Almighty not to let us face such conditions again,” she said. The psychological toll is visible in people of all age groups. A 14-year-old boy, worried about his exams, said he’s unable to attend online classes due to internet outages. “I’m lagging behind and there’s no way to catch up,” he said. Rakesh, whose roof has begun to cave in, is struggling to feed his family and look after his ailing son. “We barely manage two square meals. How are we going to survive another flood?” he asked while standing besides spoiled groceries and soaked bedding. Most homes in these colonies are cramped, poorly ventilated and ill-equipped to withstand another spell of flood. Residents fear that if the nullah swells again, water will reenter their streets and homes, bringing back the chaos, contamination and the trauma.