A River in Flood

"Water water everywhere, but not a drop to drink" 

During the rainy season, almost all rivers are in flood. The river Sutlej flows past our village. Last year, it rained very heavily for several days. As a result, the river was in flood. It overflowed its banks and flooded large low lying areas. There was nothing but water everywhere. 

The flood lasted for three days. It wrought terrible havoc. A large number of villages were completely surrounded by water. They looked like an island. More than 50 percent of houses in these villages collapsed. Many people became homeless. They took shelter along the railway line. The traffic was dislocated. Access was possible only by boats. So it was very difficult to send relief to the stranded people.

No fuel or dry land was available. People were in great distress. Standing crops worth crores of rupees were destroyed. Many cattle were swept away. There was a great loss of life and property. People looked sad and sorrowful.

After three days the flood subsided. Once again the water began to flow within banks. People went back to their houses.

The Government started relief centers and gave all possible help to the victims of the flood. It helped them to rebuild their houses. It distributed medicines, money, food, and clothes to them. It compensated the farmers by remitting land revenues.

Offers of help came in from every side. Charitable people came to their rescue. They tried to mitigate their distress. They gave them food and clothes. Soon the affected people were able to resume their normal life.