Ludhiana, Sept. 25 -- Panic is mounting across villages in the Machhiwara belt as the Sutlej river continues to eat away its banks near Sasrali Colony, leaving fertile farmlands, homes and tube wells at risk of being washed away. At least 22 village panchayats have written a joint letter to the Punjab governor, pleading for urgent army intervention to save their land and livelihoods from further devastation.

In their letter, the panchayats of Sasrali Colony, Boothgarh, Gaunsgarh, Gadhapur, Raur, Managat, Hawas, Khwajke, Mangli Tanda, Mangli Khas, Garhi Togada, Garhi Fazil, Garhi Shero, Shekhowal, Kasabaad, Jeewanpur, Dheri, Bajra, Sattowal, Seera, Churwal and Macchiana Kala warned that the dhussi bundh has collapsed across several kilome...