Yamuna flood waters receding in Haryana

CHANDIGARH - The flood waters of the Yamuna river in Haryana, which was flowing at an alarming level for the past few days, started receding Friday, an official said.

Around 78,000 cusecs of water was discharged into the Yamuna from Hathinikund barrage in Haryana’s Yamunanagar district Friday morning — a considerable drop as compared to the last few days.

Breaking the record of the last 32 years, the Yamuna river saw a maximum discharge of 744,507 cusecs from the Hathinikund barrage in Haryana Monday. The previous record of discharge into the river was 709,000 cusecs, recorded Sep 3, 1978.

“Rescue work is on in the affected villages of the district. Water level in the Yamuna river has started receding and there is no immediate threat of floods,” Ashok Sangwan, deputy commissioner of Yamunanagar, told IANS Friday.

Meanwhile, Haryana government released over Rs.1.53 crore to various deputy commissioners to distribute relief for the damaged tube-wells in the state. It also released Rs.11.31 crore for the damaged crops.

Talking about the flood situation in the state, Haryana financial commissioner and principal secretary Naresh Gulati said: “Flood water has started flowing back into the Yamuna. Everything is under control and relief material has been provided to the victims.”

Gulati also said the field staff of irrigation department along with district administration in Karnal, Panipat, Sonipat, Faridabad and Palwal districts was on alert and were taking all possible measures for protection of the vulnerable sites.

In the neighbouring state of Punjab, overflowing water of Satluj river entered at least 10 villages of the Anandpur Sahib sub-division in Ropar district Friday.

This flooding was the direct result of release of nearly 12,000 cusecs water into Satluj river from the Bhakra Dam reservoir Thursday.