Yamuna level recedes in Haryana but rains expected

CHANDIGARH - The water level in the Yamuna river has started receding, but the Haryana Met office Sunday predicted moderate to heavy rains for the day - igniting fears that the relief might be short lived.

Yamuna was in spate for the last few days, flooding nearly 125 villages of Yamunanagar, Sonepat, Panipat, Karnal, Bhiwani and Jhajjar districts.

“The situation is gradually becoming normal in Yamunanagar. Hundreds have been shifted to safe locations. We are providing packed food and drinking water to them,” Ashok Sanghwan, deputy commissioner of Yamunanagar, told IANS Sunday.

“Over 75 houses and many roads were damaged due to the floods. We will evaluate the actual loss once the situation becomes normal,” Sanghwan said.

Meanwhile, Urvashi Gulati, chief secretary of Haryana, said: “Water level in Yamuna has considerably receded. There is nothing to panic about and we are ready to tackle any kind of emergency situation. We have alerted all deputy commissioners and told the army to remain on standby.”

The Yamuna river had reached the danger level due to heavy rains in Haryana and in the upper reaches of Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand in the last few days.

“Overcast conditions are still prevailing in most parts of Haryana and in Chandigarh. We are expecting moderate to heavy rains,” said a Met official here.