Ludhiana, Aug. 27 -- A sense of alarm gripped villagers near Dhulewal on Thursday as the swollen Sutlej river began eating into the dhussi bandh-a long-standing, fragile stretch that guards vast tracts of farmland and settlements. With heavy rains pushing the river's water level higher, erosion threatened to breach the embankment, forcing the administration into an urgent damage-control operation.

Police, irrigation officials and local leaders rushed to the spot as villagers watched the swirling waters lash against the protective structures. Repair work began immediately, with sandbags and boulders being dumped to reinforce the weakening bandh.

The scene at Dhulewal turned into a hive of activity, with police, irrigation staff, and loca...