Ludhiana, Sept. 10 -- Residents of several flood-prone villages along the Sutlej river have blamed the authorities for their failure to maintain embankments and check illegal sand mining in the region which they said increased the risk of breaches. On Tuesday, fresh damage was reported near Garhi Fazal village as high-speed water flow damaged the weak embankment, further deepening concerns of nearby villagers.

Villagers from Allowal, Sasrali, Dulewal, Talwandi Naubad, and Garhi Fazal said the embankments have become fragile, especially in areas where illegal mining has been rampant. They alleged that unchecked mining activities have reduced the base levels near the river, weakening the dhussi bundhs and increasing the risk of breaches du...