Rain in hills sparks fresh flood fears

Fresh spells of rainfall in the hills have put Haryana’s major rivers on high alert again, reigniting fears of flooding among residents living in low-lying areas and along the banks of the Yamuna, Ghaggar, Tangri and Markanda.

The trauma of 2023’s widespread floods — which inundated thousands of acres and displaced hundreds — remains fresh in people’s minds, particularly in districts situated along the Ghaggar, Yamuna and Markanda.

“Most areas adjoining rivers are naturally flood-prone due to the state’s topography,” said Dr Shiv Singh Rawat, former Superintending Engineer, Irrigation and Water Resources Department, and convener of Yamuna Bachao Abhiyan. Haryana’s terrain is framed by the Shivalik Hills to the northeast, the Aravallis to the southwest, the Yamuna to the east, and the Ghaggar to the west. It spans 44.2 lakh hectares, of which 39 lakh hectares are arable.

Rawat explained that Haryana is divided between two major drainage basins — the Yamuna Sub-Basin (40% of the state) and the Ghaggar Sub-Basin (60%).

The Yamuna enters Haryana through Yamunanagar and flows to Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, while the Ghaggar originates in Panchkula and drains into Rajasthan via Sirsa.

A senior irrigation official said the state is better prepared this year. “The Haryana State Drought Relief and Flood Control Board has approved 325 flood control works worth nearly Rs 500 crore. Most short-term projects are complete or near completion,” he said.

Still, worries persist. Heavy discharge was recorded last week in the Ghaggar and Markanda, leading to inundation in Sirsa, where water released from the Ottu Head submerged hundreds of acres. Though water has since receded, officials remain on high alert.

In Sirsa, 34 teams have been deployed for animal health services. “Vaccines and medicines will be supplied from our central stock. Teams are ready for immediate treatment,” said Dr Sukhwinder Singh, Deputy Director, Intensive Livestock Development Project.

A flood control room has been set up at 94677-16473. Dr Brijlal has been appointed the Flood Control Officer.

Yamunanagar has recorded exceptionally high pre-monsoon rainfall between June 22 and July 1: Jagadhri received 465 mm, Pratap Nagar 421 mm, and other areas ranging from 169 mm to 257 mm. Overflow from seasonal rivers like the Sob and Pathrala damaged fields in villages such as Barauli Majra, Taruwala, Raipur and Damauli.

Temporary flood protection works are underway in over a dozen villages along the Som and Pathrala rivers, including Khanuwala, Chintpur, Rasoolpur and Chandpur Majri. “All drains have been cleaned, and pumps with adequate inventory are in place. We’re prepared for any situation,” said a senior official.

Flashback 2023

In 2023, floods wreaked havoc across Haryana. Sirsa, Fatehabad, Kurukshetra and Karnal districts were severely hit, with thousands stranded on rooftops and emergency services overwhelmed. Breaches in Ghaggar embankments near Ghel village, SYL and Narwana branches near Ismailpur and Tangri overflow in Ambala led to Army and NDRF deployments.

In Kaithal, over 40 villages in Guhla were waterlogged due to breaches near Bhatia village. Yamunanagar’s Kail and nearby villages suffered extensive crop damage. Panipat and Sonepat districts saw massive flooding from the Yamuna, affecting sugarcane, paddy and vegetable crops. Potable water supply in Sonepat was also disrupted. Breaches occurred at five sites across Sonepat, drowning all protective studs.

With inputs from Nitish Sharma, Anil Kakkar, Shiv Kumar Sharma and Mukesh Tandon.

Haryana Tribune