Yamunanagar administration steps up flood control measures, issues safety appeal to residents
The Yamuna river, swollen after receiving an inflow of over 3.4 lakh cusecs of water on Monday, has started causing visible impact in several villages of Yamunanagar district. Although the water in Yamuna river receded as it was recorded over 1.63 lakh cusecs at 9 am and 1.42 lakh cusecs at 6 pm at Hathnikund Barrage on Tuesday.Authorities fear major damage in case of a further rise in water levels, as riverbank erosion has already begun in vulnerable areas.Yamunanagar deputy commissioner (DC) Parth Gupta, superintendent of police (SP) Kamaldeep Goyal, and Irrigation Department Superintendent Engineer R S Mittal, along with other senior officials, visited the flood-affected villages of Tapu Kamalpur and Pobari to review the situation. In Tapu Kamalpur, the Yamuna is now flowing just 200 meters away from the village. Although preventive efforts are underway, continuous erosion remains a serious threat.“Last year, nearly 80% of the population of this village had to migrate when the situation worsened. This time, around Rs 7 crore has been spent to install studs over a two-kilometer stretch, which has helped reduce some risk. Still, danger persists,” said villagers during the officials’ visit. DC Gupta informed that after two days of heavy rainfall, the Yamuna had swollen with 3.4 lakh cusecs of water, though the flow reduced to 1.4 lakh cusecs by Tuesday. “At present, floodwater has not entered residential areas. Soil bags are being placed to check erosion, and announcements are being made in over 125 adjoining villages urging people to stay away from the Yamuna. Officers have been deployed in affected areas for relief and safety measures,” he said.He also confirmed an unfortunate incident in which two youths drowned while attempting to collect logs washed down from the mountains into the river. “We appeal to people not to go near the Yamuna, as it is extremely dangerous. The administration is fully alert, and disaster management measures have been activated in view of the weather department’s warnings,” Gupta added.SP Kamaldeep Goyal stated that all police station heads have been directed to stay stationed in vulnerable areas and coordinate with village sarpanches to ensure preparedness. “The underpass at Kalanaur has been closed due to waterlogging. Police teams are making rounds in villages near the river, advising people to remain cautious,” he said.With around 125 villages located along the Yamuna’s course in Yamunanagar, the administration is on high alert to prevent loss of life and property. Relief efforts continue, even as search operations are underway to trace the two missing youths.To strengthen preparedness, a district-level flood control room has been set up at the secretariat. Citizens can report emergencies or seek assistance at 01732-237801. Additional control rooms have also been established across subdivisions – Radaur SDM office – 01732-283899, Vyaspur BDPO office – 01735-297588, Chhachhrauli SDM office – 01735-293400, Yamunanagar Jagadhri Municipal Corporation – 01732-237841/9810336887 and Hathnikund Barrage and river water level updates – 01732-237837.On this occasion, Jagadhri SDM Vishwanath, Radaur SDM Narendra Kumar, superintending engineer of irrigation Ravi Shankar Mittal, District Revenue Officer Tarun Sahota, DDPO Narendra Singh, BDPO Shyam Lal, Executive Engineer Vinod Kumar, and local panchayat representatives.
