Rising Ghaggar stirs fear among Mansa residents

With the water level in the Ghaggar rising due to the ongoing rainfall in Himachal Pradesh, anxiety is once again gripping residents of Mansa district. Memories of the 2023 devastation, when breaches led to floods and widespread damage, still haunt locals. Notably, the Army had to be called in for the rescue operations at that time.

The Ghaggar, often termed the “river of sorrow”, originates from the Shivalik range of the Himalayas and re-enters Haryana through Mansa. At Chandpura dam, a key point where the river passes under the Bhakra canal via a syphon located just a few metres across the Punjab-Haryana border, the monsoon often spells trouble, officials and villagers say.

Although the river is currently flowing well below the danger mark, the administration insists it is fully geared up to tackle any emergency.

“Residents of Kulrian, Birewala Dogra, Chak Ali Sher, Gorakhnath, Rorki, Jhanda Khurd, etc, are fearful because this is typically the time when the Ghaggar wreaks havoc. The Deputy Commissioner has visited the critical spot, but the administration is not prepared yet. In 2023, the water rose suddenly and caused huge losses. At that time, the Congress arranged some machinery from Haryana to tackle the situation,” said Congress leader Ranvir Kaur, who contested the 2022 Assembly poll from Budhlada.

Executive Engineer Jagmeet Singh said, “We have kept 60,000 sandbags, both filled and unfilled, ready to counter any flooding. Bundhs were strengthened last year. The machinery, labourers and contractors are currently on standby. The flow at the Chandpura syphon is just 1,400 cusecs, well below the danger mark. There is no need to panic.”

Deputy Commissioner Kulwant Singh added, “I have personally inspected some sites along the Ghaggar. Dam work has already been carried out, and the embankments of the Ghaggar have been strengthened.”

Punjab