Yamuna in spate, flood threat looms over Haryana

CHANDIGARH - The Haryana government has alerted officials in all districts lying along the Yamuna river, as also the authorities in Delhi, about possible floods, an official here said Sunday.

The state government has also sought the assistance of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to tackle the threat, he said.

“A discharge of 268,431 cusecs of water was observed in river Yamuna at Hathini Kund barrage at 6 a.m. today (Sunday) which increased to 640,980 cusecs by 5 p.m. and it is still increasing. Yesterday (Saturday), a discharge of only 73,689 cusecs of water was observed,” said a spokesperson of the Haryana revenue department here Sunday.

“Field staff of the irrigation department in Karnal, Panipat, Sonepat, Faridabad and Palwal districts has been alerted to take preventive measures, as flood threat is posing at various critical sites. Flood water from Yamuna river is likely to enter 22 villages in Yamunanagar district,” he said.

These villages included Kalesar, Baburambass, Mamdubas, Tappukamalpur, Punehri, Baghwali, Jathlana and Sandhala-Sandhali.

The spokesperson said that flood water has started reaching Karnal district as 300,000 cusecs of water was reportedly flowing in the river by 5 p.m. Sunday in Karnal.

The villages that are facing immediate flood threat in Karnal district included Chougam, Hansu Majra, Garhi Birbal, Garhpur Tapu, Palsora, Halwana, Nabiyabad, Japti Chhapra, Sayed Chhapra, Nagli and Dera Sikkligarh, the official said.

He said Delhi flood authorities have been alerted about the increased discharge in the river.

Over 30 people were killed in floods in Haryana in July this year.