Gurdaspur: Punjab water resources department has launched a massive de-silting drive in the Ravi in Gurdaspur district, hoping to prevent a repeat of the 2025 floods that submerged villages, destroyed crops and shattered livelihoods.The work is being carried out on a “war footing” at Dharamkot Pattan, with heavy machinery clearing tonnes of silt and riverbed material that accumulated after last year’s floods disrupted the river’s natural flow. “The drainage capacity of a river decreases when silt and debris accumulate, increasing the risk of flooding as water cannot flow freely,” said executive engineer (XEN) Gurveer Singh. He said the objective was to remove bottlenecks, restore the river’s carrying capacity and ensure smooth passage of floodwaters before the monsoon peaks. In 2025, the Ravi breached its embankments at nearly 50 locations across Gurdaspur district, affecting 329 villages, killing one person and 610 head of cattle, and destroying crops over 73,443 acres. After the floodwaters receded, huge quantities of silt and riverbed material were deposited in the river channel, reducing its carrying capacity and increasing the likelihood of future flooding. Following a detailed survey, the department identified bottlenecks and prepared a detailed project report in accordance with the Centre’s National Framework for Sediment Management. The project has also received technical approval from the Joint State Technical Advisory Committee comprising experts from the Punjab govt and the Centre. To ensure transparency and prevent irregularities, the department is using Keyhole Markup Language (KML)-based digital geo-fencing, enabling officials to monitor every stage of the de-silting operation and ensure excavation is carried out strictly within approved zones. The excavated silt and other material are being stored at designated safe locations for future flood-control works. Officials said weak embankments were also being strengthened, while sandbags were being readied for emergency deployment during the monsoon. With the monsoon gathering momentum, officials admit time is of the essence. “The department is committed to completing the work within the stipulated time frame to safeguard lives, agricultural land and property. Continuous monitoring is being carried out to restore the Ravi’s natural flow before the river is tested once again by heavy rain,” XEN Gurveer Singh said.
