As floodwaters recede, many Sutlej villages are now hit by Sutlej water contamination. Residents say black, foul-smelling water flows from borewells and handpumps. With no clean supply, families depend on bottled water distributed by NGOs and volunteers.
The problem is worst in Nihala Lavera, Dheera Ghara, Talli Gulam, Kaluwala, Tandiwala, Bhane Wali Basti, and Navi Gatti Rajo Ke. Mandeep Kaur of Dheera Ghara said she never imagined Punjab, the land of five rivers, would see people survive only on bottled water.
Health Minister Balbir Singh visited the flood-hit areas. He urged villagers to boil water, use chlorine tablets, and drink ORS-mixed water to avoid disease. He told health officials to send safe drinking water without delay.
Village leaders say no water tanks have reached them yet. Gurjant Singh, sarpanch of Nihala Lavera, asked the government to install RO systems in affected villages. Malkeet Singh of Kaluwala warned that borewell and handpump water is unsafe, putting residents at serious risk.
