Ludhiana, Sept. 5 -- Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of allowing rampant "illegal mining" that weakened the embankments. Sukhbir, who was in Fasse village of the district where the Sutlej water level neared the breach point recently, said, "People here are fighting two battles-one against nature and another against corrupt officers and politicians. Illegal mining has eaten away at Punjab's bundhs. The government has abandoned them. Now villagers are risking their lives to save themselves."

"On Monday night, reports suggested the dhussi bundh could collapse at any moment. Had it not been for the courage of the villagers, who filled sandbags with their own res...