Yamuna flood threat recedes in Haryana

CHANDIGARH - Flood threat in Haryana receded as discharge of water from the Hathinikund barrage into the Yamuna river has gone down to 54,452 cusecs Saturday, officials said.

“There has been a considerable dip in the discharge of water from the Hathinikund barrage into the Yamuna. Today (Saturday) there was a discharge of only 54,452 cusecs whereas yesterday (Friday) there was release of nearly 80,000 cusecs,” an official of Hathinikund barrage control room told IANS.

“Though the water is flowing at a very fast pace, there is no threat of floods in the adjoining areas. Reports are coming that rainfall has also subdued in Himachal Pradesh and in the upper reaches of the Shivalik hills that led to a substantial decline in the inflow,” he added.

There was a discharge of nearly 300,000 cusecs into the Yamuna Thursday.

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

The government officials said that flood water has started receding in all affected districts of Haryana and no fresh breach or flooding was reported since Friday.

“Flood situation is under control and rescue work is on in all the affected areas. Field staff of the irrigation department in Karnal, Panipat, Sonipat, Faridabad and Palwal districts have taken all precautionary measures,” said a government spokesperson Saturday.

“However, the Tajewala headworks (in Yamunanagar district) has been further damaged, but water has not spilled and is unlikely to spill as level on outside is safe for low discharge,” the spokesperson said.