India, Sept. 4 -- The flood situation in Ghanaur and Rajpura blocks of Patiala district turned grim on Thursday after the swollen Ghaggar river breached the embankment of the Bhakra Main Canal (Narwana branch) near Sarala village, where the canal runs parallel to the river.

The river and the canal inundated the villages of Untsar, Rampur, Chamaru, Mavi Kalan, Jhand Mangoli, and Sarala, prompting the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the army to carry out the evacuation of stranded villagers using boats.

Announcements were made in local gurdwaras, urging residents to leave their houses and head to safer places. The water level in the Ghaggar has risen two feet above its danger mark of 16 feet.

The Patiala district administrati...