Ludhiana, Sept. 4 -- With the water level of the Sutlej river on the rise once again after continuous rainfall in the region, villagers in Garhi Fazal, Sasrali and other low-lying areas near the dhussi bund have started "thikri pehra", a traditional round-the-clock community vigil, to keep an eye on the situation.

Though the district administration has assured that a regular patrolling is being carried out in sensitive areas along the embankment, villagers said they don't want to take any chance. "We cannot depend entirely on the administration. This is about our homes, families and fields. We are patrolling day and night in shifts. Each person in the village is taking part," said Gurvinder Singh, a resident of Garhi Fazal, adding that t...