While achievements like India being ready with its indigenously developed Vikram 3201 microchip brought in positivity, denial of bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the Delhi 2020 riots after spending 5 years in jail raised viable questions about UAPA

Chandni S Chandel Tribune News Service

After Himachal and Jammu and Kashmir, the rain gods continued to wreak havoc in the villages and towns of Punjab. The incessant flooding obliterated familiar markers on the Radcliffe Line in Ferozepur where parts of the border fencing that divides India from Pakistan have been submerged. It’s as if geography is taking its revenge on history, writes Editor-in-Chief Jyoti Malhotra in her edit Water will find a way, in India & Pak. The Bhakra dam has never been desilted since it was built in 1963. She has many formidable questions for which people need answers — If this is true about the Bhakra Nangal on the Sutlej, could it also be true about the Pong dam and the Ranjit Sagar dam? Does it follow that the dam officials had to release water from these dams this monsoon — which caused the flooding in Punjab — because they were concerned about protecting the integrity of the dam structure? If these dams had been desilted over the years, would they have been capable of carrying much more water?

In their Op-ed piece Floodwaters expose cracks in Punjab’s governance, JNU professor Seema Bathla and Ravi Kiran, Assistant Professor, Government College, Sri Muktsar Sahib, underline the need for a proactive, long-term strategy that addresses the fundamental causes of floods and the need for coordinated efforts between neighbouring states. A review of dam management protocols, a state-wide project for desiltation and a robust farmer-centric crop insurance policy is what they recommend.

In yet another informative article, science commentator Dinesh C Sharma explains in his edit piece Wake-up call on the climate front that the changing monsoon patterns are linked to larger patterns of climate change. Enumerating the solutions, he writes we need to make all our public policies compliant with climate change, review the Environmental Impact Assessment regime and conduct a ‘climate audit’ of all existing infrastructure — hydel projects, national highways, road and railway bridges, airports — not from a financial perspective but to check if it is climate-resilient.

With the SCO meet held in Tianjin earlier this week, among India, China and Russia, the weakest link in this chain is the India-China relationship, says former Ambassador to China Gautam Bambawale in his Op-ed piece Beyond photo-ops: Realities of India-China ties. The outstanding boundary question imposes limitations on how much India-China relations can improve, he writes. It is time for quiet backroom discussions and negotiations between India and China.

Amid the changing geopolitics induced by Trump 2.0, there are some good vibes coming in from Europe. Germany’s partnership with India will weather the current storms that are shaking up the international order, writes Germany’s Ambassador to India Philipp Ackermann in his Op-ed piece Berlin bets on Indian talent for stronger ties. Many German companies have made Bengaluru a cornerstone of their R&D strategies and many Indian students trust the quality of German public universities and are placing their future on Germany.

A fallout of Trump’s tariff plan, the Centre announced the removal of 11 per cent import duty on cotton. That it has come at the time of harvest is a recipe for disaster, writes Sukhpal Singh, Chairman, Punjab State Farmers’ and Farm Workers’ Commission in his Oped Cotton imports spell disaster for farmers. The irony is that this decision came days after PM Modi assured the farmers that the government would not compromise on their interest at any cost. Supporting the cause of the farmers is another Op-ed piece Why India needs an agricultural policy where Kirti Kisan Union general secretary Rajinder Singh Deep Singh Wala writes that the pressure of corporate and imperialistic countries has been deciding the fate of our food and farmers. A policy that is advantageous to the farmers, not corporate giants, is needed, he writes.

The Delhi High Court refused bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the Delhi 2020 riots. By declaring their involvement “graver” without showing how, the court avoids the hard question of equality before law, says Supreme Court senior advocate Sanjay Hegde in his Op-ed piece Burying justice in the Umar Khalid trial. This case is not just about Khalid or Imam, it is about the space for dissent in India. Five years in jail without trial for words and protests is not proportionate; it is punishment without conviction, he notes.

In a positive development, the ISRO presented the indigenously developed Vikram 3201 microchip at the Semicon conference marking a huge milestone in the nation’s self-reliance in the semiconductor technology. ‘Vikram’ is expected to find valuable applications in strategic and industrial sectors, besides playing a major role in space missions, explains IISER Mohali’s visiting Professor TV Venkateswaran in his Op-ed piece Why ISRO’s Vikram 3201 is a game-changer. The work on semiconductor technology was driven by necessity as ISRO heavily relied on imported processors earlier. Sanctions imposed after the 1998 Pokhran tests sharply highlighted the importance of developing home-grown strategic technology, he explains further.

Punjab Cabinet approves one-time measure to clear agri land by Dec 31

In a one-time measure, the Punjab Cabinet on Monday permitted flood-hit farmers to mine and sell silt deposited by rivers in their fields without obtaining green nod.

They will be allowed to clear their silt-laden fields by December 31.

The move is expected to help farmers recover their losses suffered due to state’s worst floods in decades.

The approval to the Jehda Khet, Ohdi Ret initiative was given at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann via videoconferencing from a Mohali hospital, where he is undergoing treatment for a bacterial infection.

Mann is expected to be discharged from the hospital in a day or so. Meanwhile, a spokesperson said silt had accumulated in fields at 2,064 villages. “Therefore, in a major reprieve to farmers, it has been decided that they will be allowed to remove silt from their fields and sell it if they wish to. They will be allowed to remove silt from their land without any permit by December 31,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said the removal of silt from agricultural land by way of this one-time measure would not be considered mining of minerals. The deputy commissioners concerned shall declare the list of affected villages in a district where it could be done.

According to initial estimates, standing crops over 4.3 lakh acres had submerged.

After the meeting, Mann ordered the kin of the each dead Rs 4 lakh.

He said no instalment or interest on loans will be changed for debt taken from co-operative and agricultural development banks for next six months. Dairy farmers will also get compensation for the loss of cattle.

Other decisions

The Cabinet also granted prosecution sanction against former Punjab Minister Bikram Singh Majithia under Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

As per advice of the Advocate General, the matter with regard to granting of prosecution sanction of former minister first needs to be discussed in the Council of Ministers and thereafter it will be sent to the Governor for passing of a formal order.

An amendment to the Punjab Town Improvement Act, 1922, was also approved to enable urban local bodies of the state to utilise funds of improvement trusts through the Municipal Development Fund, which was established by the state government to undertake urban infrastructure works for which allocation is received from the state Budget every year.

The Cabinet also gave green signal to the Custom Milling Policy for Kharif Marketing Season (2025-26), starting from September 16 with procurement of paddy to be completed by November 30, 2025.

With an aim to allot mines in a more efficient manner, generate more revenue and increase more supply, the Cabinet gave nod to make amendments to modalities for their auction, granting of mining rights and period of auction under the Punjab State Minor Mineral Policy, 2023 and relevant rules of Punjab Minor Minerals Rules, 2013.

It gave approval to constitute the Punjab State Mineral Exploration Trust (SMET) to oversee the planned development of the mineral resources and their exploration in the state.

The Cabinet approved the creation of 1,007 posts in the School Education Department and regularisation of services of non-teaching staff under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyaan (SSA) against these posts.

It granted nod to the Punjab Community Service Guidelines, 2025, with an aim to bring uniformity across district courts of the states of Punjab, Haryana and UT Chandigarh for effective implementation of three new criminal laws where sentence of community service is passed under Section 23(2) of the BNSS, or Section 18(1)(c) of Juvenile Justice Act 2015 or other laws throughout the country.

The cabinet gave nod to ensure pay protection on transfer (merger) of rural medical officers working under the Zila Parishad to the Department of Health and Family Welfare.

In order to strengthen police stations to ensure effective investigations, particularly in relation to drug cases and other organised crimes, the Cabinet gave nod to the creation of 1,600 new NGO’s posts (ASI, SI and Inspector) in district cadre.Haryana CM meets Mann at hospital

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday created a buzz in the political circles when he reached the private hospital in Mohali to enquire about the health of CM Bhagwant Mann. He stayed with Mann for 20 minutes, where, according to officials in Haryana “… the two leaders had a discussion on several important issues”.

“He also asked the CM about the flood situation in Punjab and assured him of all possible help,” the officials added.

2 terrorists eliminated

Adil Akhzer

Two soldiers, including a junior commissioned officer (JCO), and two militants were killed in a gunbattle in Kulgam district of south Kashmir on Monday.

Police officials said based on specific intelligence, a joint team of the Jammu and Kashmir Police’s Special Operations Group, the Army and the CRPF launched a search and cordon operation in the Guddar forest area.

Sources told The Tribune that there were inputs about the presence of a group of militants in the vicinity of the area that saw one of the longest anti-terror operations last month. The gunfight had continued for 11 days. In that operation, two Army personnel and a militant were killed, while other militants had managed to escape.

Srinagar-based Chinar Corps wrote on X on Monday morning that after the joint search operation was launched, “vigilant troops observed suspicious activity”. Upon being challenged, “terrorists opened fire, prompting a fierce exchange of gunfire”.

The Army said during the gunfight, one terrorist was eliminated while a junior commissioned officer suffered injuries. Later, the Army said another terrorist had been killed in the operation while another soldier also suffered injuries.

“The identity of the terrorists is being ascertained,” the Army said.

The sources said on Monday evening, both injured soldiers succumbed to their injuries.

Late on Monday night, the Army posted on X, “The Chinar Corps honours the supreme sacrifice of the bravehearts — Subedar Perbhat Gaur and Lance Naik Narender Sindhu — in the line of duty for the nation. Their courage and dedication will forever inspire us.”

“The Army expresses deepest condolences and stands in solidarity with the bereaved families. The operation continues,” the Army said.

The sources said one of the two militants killed in the encounter was a foreign terrorist. The sources said it would be “premature” to say if group involved in Monday’s gunbattle was the same that had escaped last month.

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MUSLIM COMMUNITY ALL OUT FOR DISTRIBUTION OF FLOOD RELIEF MATERIAL IN PUNJAB:—पंजाब में बाढ़ राहत सामग्री वितरण के लिए मुस्लिम समुदाय आगे आया:–ਪੰਜਾਬ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੜ੍ਹ ਰਾਹਤ ਸਮੱਗਰੀ ਦੀ ਵੰਡ ਲਈ ਮੁਸਲਿਮ ਭਾਈਚਾਰਾ ਪੂਰੀ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਤਿਆਰ

Heart Touching Videos of Punjab disaster: Rain Havoc:–
ਪੰਜਾਬ ਆਫ਼ਤ ਦੇ ਦਿਲ ਨੂੰ ਛੂਹ ਲੈਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਵੀਡੀਓ: ਮੀਂਹ ਦੀ ਤਬਾਹੀ:–
पंजाब आपदा के दिल को छू लेने वाले वीडियो: बारिश का कहर

Solan paralysed: 30 roads blocked as rain wreaks havoc

Record inflows at Bhakra, Pong dams spark urgent water release; red alert in Punjab, Himachal

Punjab floods: CM Bhagwant Mann breaks down on hearing victim’s ordeal

Heavy rain alert in Chandigarh for another three days

Manish Sisodia on boat ride in artificial lakes of Punjab without any flood relief materials : who is playing politics in Punjab Sisodia or Centra as he asking Centre to shun politics, help Punjab

Record inflows at Bhakra, Pong dams spark urgent water release; red alert in Punjab, Himachal

Train services take a hit as Sutlej waters inch closer to railway track

Himachal in peril: Climate change unleashes fury on Dev Bhoomi

Ghaggar overflows, submerges crops on 1,450 acres in Patiala

Relentless downpour, snowfall cut off Lahaul-Spiti

All 23 districts in Punjab declared flood-hit

Record rain: Red alert in Punjab, Himachal, J-K; Chandigarh’s Sukhna gates open for record 9th time

Landslides, power outages disrupt life | Kasauli residents struggle with erratic supply

Commuting across rural Solan district came to a grinding halt this morning, with nearly 30 roads blocked as incessant rainfall continued for the fourth straight day.

Arki and Solan subdivisions were the worst affected, with 14 roads each closed due to landslides. Nalagarh reported 10 blocked roads, while Kasauli subdivision saw 12 stretches disrupted by shooting stones, debris and uprooted trees.

In the past 24 hours, Kasauli recorded 4 mm of rain, while Solan and Kandaghat received 3 mm each. The continuous downpour has also triggered multiple landslides and ground movement.

Adding to residents’ woes, power supply in Kasauli, Baddi and Nalagarh remained erratic. Despite repair works on transformers, repeated faults occurred as trees fell on poles and wires. The outage crippled water supply for the third consecutive day in Kasauli, where residents said they were experiencing one of the worst water crises in years. “In the rainy season, either the water turns too muddy to drink or the supply stops altogether,” locals rued, adding that water supply had dropped to just two days a week.

Elsewhere, damage to property and agriculture has been widespread. A cowshed collapse killed livestock in Kandaghat subdivision last evening. Standing crops worth Rs 1.94 lakh, arable land valued at Rs 30.32 lakh and structural assets worth Rs 8 lakh have been lost to the rains.

Residential losses include six fully damaged concrete houses worth Rs 98 lakh, five kutcha houses valued at Rs 6.40 lakh and partial damage to another 19 houses worth nearly Rs 8 lakh. Twenty-one cowsheds and several retaining walls have also been destroyed.

In Kasauli subdivision alone, 12 roads bore the brunt of rain-induced damage, including Chandi Ghyan, Patta Ghrer, Barotiwala-Mandhala-Gunai, Bhojnagar-Chakki Mour, Parwanoo-Gadiyar, Joharji-Mallah, Jandauri-Pratha-Nabon, Garkhal-Dharampur via Moti Kona, Bhojnagar-Neri Kalan, Shaktighat Bandh and Barotiwala-Subathu-Kunihar.

With rain showing no sign of abating, the administration remains on high alert as efforts continue to restore connectivity and essential services.

Amid ongoing heavy rain in several states, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red alert warnings for several districts across Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, northern Punjab, northern Haryana, eastern Rajasthan, southwest Uttar Pradesh, northwest and eastern Madhya Pradesh and Odisha.

The updated nowcast suggests moderate to intense spells of rain in these regions over the next three hours, posing risks of flash floods, landslides, and waterlogging.

According to the IMD, districts under red alert in Jammu and Kashmir include Poonch, Mirpur, Rajouri, Reasi, Jammu, Ramban, Udhampur, Samba, Kathua, Doda, and Kishtwar. In Punjab, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Nawanshahr, Rupnagar, Moga, Ludhiana, Barnala, and Sangrur are under red alert; while in Himachal Pradesh, Mandi, Una, Bilaspur, Sirmaur, and Solan are under similar warnings. Haryana’s Yamuna Nagar, Ambala, Kurukshetra, Panchkula, and SAS Nagar are also under the same warning.

Landslide hits house in Kullu’s Akhara Bazaar, two feared trapped

September 3, 2025 12:10 pm

In Kullu district, a late-night landslide struck a residential area in inner Akhara Bazaar, damaging a house and leaving two persons feared trapped under the debris, officials said on Wednesday. The incident occurred around midnight amid continuous rainfall that has battered the region over the past several days, heightening the risk of slope failures and flash floods. According to local sources, the landslide hit the house, catching its occupants off guard. However, one person managed a narrow escape by jumping out through a window moments before the structure was struck. “It happened so fast—everything started shaking, and before we knew it, the wall came crashing down,” said a local resident. Rescue operations were launched immediately, with teams from the district administration and emergency services reaching the spot. Despite continuous efforts through the night, the two missing individuals had not been located at the time of filing this report. Authorities said heavy rainfall and unstable terrain were hampering the operation, making it difficult for rescue teams to safely clear debris amid fears of further slides. The area has been cordoned off, and nearby residents have been advised to evacuate as a precautionary measure. Officials have also urged people living in landslide-prone zones to remain alert and follow safety advisories. Further updates are awaited as rescue efforts continue in challenging conditions.

Evacuation in Ropar’s Bela Villages as Bhakra Dam Nears Capacity

September 3, 2025 11:29 am

The district administration has begun evacuating residents from several Bela villages as the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) is set to release 75,000 cusecs of water into the Sutlej due to high inflows into the Bhakra Dam. By this morning, the dam’s water level had reached 1,678 feet—just two feet below the maximum permitted level of 1,680 feet. Inflows into the dam were recorded at 86,822 cusecs, while outflows stood at 65,042 cusecs. Villages, including Harsa Bela, Bela Ramgarh, Sensowal, Singhpura, and others are being evacuated as many have already lost road connectivity. Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains has urged residents to move to safer areas, assuring that shelter arrangements have been made in government facilities. Meanwhile, the Pong Dam is also under pressure, with water levels exceeding its optimum capacity by three feet.

Anirudh Gupta Our Correspondent

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday broke down after hearing the plight of a flood-hit elderly woman during his visit to a locality here.

Mann comforted the woman, Manjit Kaur of Basti Ram Lal, after she narrated her ordeal. Though Mann did not announce anything on the spot, he asked them to keep trust in him, claiming that he was mindful of their issues and all possible would be done.

Expressing concern over the “meagre” compensation given to people for losses due to natural disasters, Mann sought revision in the relief norms by the Centre.

After conducting a tour of flood-affected areas in an Army boat, Mann said though substantial funds were available in the State Disaster Response Fund, the existing norms prescribed by the Ministry of Home Affairs remained grossly inadequate to compensate farmers, livestock owners and vulnerable communities. Mann said the norms were “totally unrealistic” when compared with losses suffered by farmers.