India, Sept. 11 -- After days of devastation, the Sutlej is finally receding, bringing a measure of relief to flood-ravaged regions of Ferozepur and Fazilka. Over the past five days, water discharge from the Harike headworks has reduced by nearly 1.3 lakh cusecs - marking a significant turning point in the flood crisis.

At the height of the flooding, 108 villages in Ferozepur district were submerged. Now, water has receded from most areas, but 12 villages remain cut off, surrounded by knee-deep stagnant water that continues to threaten homes and farmlands.

More than 42,648 acres of paddy have been damaged, and 282 homes lie in ruins. In the submerged villages of Jallake, Talli Gulam, Hamad Chak, and others, residents are still wading th...