Amritsar, Aug. 31 -- The rising waters of the Ravi have inundated 323 villages in Gurdaspur district, affecting over 26,000 people and causing the death of 243 animals due to the flooding, according to official reports. The district administration has evacuated more than 5,400 people from the affected areas as of Friday evening, with efforts to provide emergency relief continuing across the region. Gurdaspur DC Dalwinderjit Singh said the water levels in the Ravi had started to recede, with floodwaters gradually decreasing in most affected areas. He urged the people not to panic. A 24-hour control room has been set up for emergency queries at 01874-266376, he added. In response to the crisis, 23 relief camps have been established across the district, with 13 currently active. These camps are providing food, dry rations, mattresses, milk for infants and essential supplies to those displaced by the floods. Additionally, 52 medical camps have been organised to provide healthcare to flood victims, while ambulances are stationed to assist those in need. The flood situation worsened on Saturday in Ajnala town where rising waters submerged localities, forcing residents to evacuate to safer locations. Many shopkeepers in Ajnala shut down their businesses in anticipation of the worsening flood. On behalf of the government, three senior officers of the administrative secretary rank - Kamal Kishore Yadav, Varun Roozam and Basant Garg - reached Ajnala to supervise ongoing relief efforts. In Amritsar district, 70 villages have been impacted by the floods, affecting nearly 30,000 people. Deputy commissioner Sakshi Sawhney reported that more than 1,700 people have been rescued so far. The body of an employee of the Punjab irrigation department, identified as Vinod Kumar, was recovered after he drowned in the Ravi. Kumar, who had been missing for three days after the gate of the Madhopur headworks was swept away by the floodwaters, was found trapped in the debris of the broken gate. The army, using helicopters, assisted in the recovery. While water levels at Harike headworks have begun to recede, the swollen Beas now poses a growing threat to villages in the Tarn Taran district, especially Marar village. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and have issued warnings to residents in low-lying areas. Relief and rescue teams remain on high alert. Acting jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj appealed to all Punjabis, particularly Sikh bodies, to extend their support to those affected by the ongoing crisis. He emphasised that no Punjabi, regardless of where they live, should be left without shelter and food during this difficult time....