By IANS,
Chandigarhp : Se Breaking records of the last 32 years, the Yamuna river saw a maximum discharge of 744,507 cusecs of water from the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana Monday.
The Yamuna is already in spate and posing a flood threat to the low-lying areas of various districts in Haryana. The previous record of discharge into the Yamuna was 709,000 cusecs, recorded Sep 3, 1978.
“The Yamuna has caused flooding in Yamunanagar district due to heavy rains in its catchment areas. Accordingly, all the villages falling along the river have been warned,” said Naresh Gulati, Haryana financial commissioner and principal secretary (revenue), Monday.
“Water has entered the agricultural fields of low lying areas in about 25 villages of Radaur and Chacchrauli blocks of Yamunanagar. Flood waters have also reached Karnal and Panipat districts and are likely to reach Sonepat by late evening,” he added.
According to the officials concerned, flood waters have also affected habitation in around eight to ten villages in Yamunanagar.
“We have told the residents of low lying areas to leave for safer locations. We will make sure that all necessary assistance will be provided to them. We are closely monitoring the situation. Several acres of agricultural land are facing the threat of heavy floods,” Ashok Sanghwan, deputy commissioner of Yamunanagar, told IANS.
“Besides, over 25 villages, including Kalesar, Baburambass, Mamdubas, Tappukamalpur, Punehri, Baghwali, Jathlana and Sandhala-Sandhali villages, are on the verge of flooding.”
Nearly 700,000 cusecs of water was discharged into the Yamuna from the Hathnikund barrage Sunday.
Incessant rainfall in the upper reaches of Shivalik hills and in Uttarakhand has led to heavy inflows. Officials said flood waters have also entered into the territory of a few villages in Karnal and Yamunanagar districts and rescue work was on.
The Haryana government has issued fresh flood alerts in Karnal, Panipat, Sonepat, Faridabad and Palwal districts and their deputy commissioners have been alerted to take preventive measures.
In Karnal district, flood threat was looming over Chougam, Hansu Majra, Garhi Birbal, Garhpur Tapu, Palsora, Halwana, Nabiyabad, Japti Chhapra, Sayed Chhapra, Nagli and Dera Sikkligarh villages.
The Haryana government has also alerted the Delhi flood authorities about the increased discharge in the river and told the army to remain on standby.
Over 30 people were killed in floods in Haryana in July.
Heavy flow of water has also damaged the Tajewala headworks point in Yamunanagar district. A portion of it was swept away with the heavy currents.