Ludhiana, Sept. 2 -- A state of panic has gripped residents of Sasrali Colony, surrounding villages, and Machhiwara as the Sutlej river's water level has risen sharply due to continuous rainfall, leaving them to fend for themselves against the looming flood threat. A temporary defence constructed by villagers, consisting of a makeshift bandh of hundreds of sandbags, was unable to withstand the river's fury and was completely washed away, destroying crops and leaving homes vulnerable.

In a desperate attempt to save their homes and fields, villagers had collected hundreds of sandbags and built a temporary bandh on the banks of the raging Sutlej. However, after heavy rain on Sunday night, the swollen river swallowed the makeshift structure,...