Ludhiana: Amid rainfall activity in the district, the civil administration has set up multiple flood control rooms at various sub-divisions of the district. The officials have also stated that a list of emergency support functionaries from various departments was already prepared for disaster management.District revenue officer Ankita Aggarwal, who is involved in the process, said that measures had been taken and readiness was there to deal with such scenarios during the ongoing monsoon season. She also confirmed that a list of emergency support functionaries from various departments had been prepared.The officer said they had sent the requirements related to flood control to the authorities concerned around June 15.

She suggested that the irrigation department had an important role in cleaning of canals ahead of the monsoon season and the same was probably done.Meanwhile, an official, who is part of the team for flood control/disaster management activities, said that a 24X7 flood control room was already set up at the mini secretariat with helpline number 01612433100. He added that besides, such flood control rooms had been set up at seven sub-divisionss including Ludhiana East, Ludhiana West, Jagraon, Raikot, Khanna, Samrala, and Payal sub-divisions.

"Each flood control room has two employees, including a clerk and a helper. After they get information about a flood, they communicate the same to the officials at the sub-divisional level and the same is then communicated to the deputy commissioner for necessary response," said the official. "In Ludhiana district, Sidhwan Bet area of Jagraon, Machhiwara area of Samrala, and Koom Kalan area are flood-prone as Sutlej river runs through these areas whereas in Payal and Khanna, there are irrigation canals running through those areas which don't pose major flood-related issues.

" He added that in Raikot sub-division, there is not much flood-related issue.Meanwhile, a list of emergency support functionaries of the district disaster management authority suggested that from the police, commissioner of Ludhiana police, SSP Ludhiana (rural), SSP Khanna, and traffic police, Ludhiana were such functionaries, whereas from the revenue department, deputy commissioner Ludhiana, additional deputy commissioners, district revenue officer, SDMs, tehsildars, and naib tehsildars.Many residents, especially those living in areas near Sutlej river, said the agencies concerned should remain alert in view of frequent rains and flash floods in Himachal Pradesh. Shiv Kumar Shivly, a social activist from Jharodhi village near Machhiwara, said the level of water in Sutlej had increased since Sunday, so the authorities should maintain a high level of alertness and preparedness. He added that the civil administration should alert people living near the Sutlej as water flow tends to increase abruptly.