Ganga flows near the danger mark

With torrential rains lashing the plains and the hills of the State for the past few days, the water level of Ganga and its tributaries, which has been on the rise, reached close to the danger mark on Monday.  In view of the Ganga and other rivers flowing full spate, the Haridwar district administration has sounded alert in villages under the Laksar tehsil located in the vicinity of  Ganga and Solani rivers. Besides, the flood chowkis have also been directed to be alert. After around 25 mm rain was recorded over the past 24 hours, the level of Ganga reached 292.30 metre-just below warning mark. The city roads reeled under traffic snarls after many of the important areas remained waterlogged on both Sunday and Monday morning. Subsequently, the commuters had faced a tough time. 

The hilly regions of the State have been receiving heavy rainfall since the beginning of July. For the last three days, the plains have been receiving heavy shower, resulting in Ganga and the seasonal rivers swelling dangerously for the villages located in their vicinity.

Speaking to The Pioneer, SDM Laksar, Kaustubh Mishra said, “We are constantly monitoring the water level of Ganga near the low-lying areas of the tehsil. Besides, we are in touch with the respective chowkis. The disaster management teams are also in place.” He, further, said that while the warning level is at 293 metre and the danger mark is at 294 metre the level of Ganga has reached close to the danger mark. “Our team is, however, prepared for  any emergency facing the low- lying villages. Apada Mitras have also been put on alert to face any situation,” he added.

The villages under Laksar on the flood vigil  include Gangdaspur, Panditpuri, Dallawala, Jogawala, Sherpur Bela, Rampur Raighati, Dabki Kheda, Naiwala, Alampura, Yahiyapur, Sherpur bela, Sahipur, Chandrapuri Kalan, Prahladpur,Ballwali, Panjeetpuri, Mohammadpur, Maharajpur khurd, Nandpur, Gidhawalai, Damanpuri, Hastmauli and Sahipur among  others.

The villages near the Solani river are also under threat as water has gushed into several hectares of the farm lands after some embankments breached.  The people living in these villages have been asked to be alert and take the necessary measures. The 'Apada Mitras' have been asked to be on alert  for 24 hours, especially in Raiyasi, Bhikkampur, Gowardhanpur and Madabela flood relief chowkis, said Mishra.

While the villagers complain that de-silting work in Balawali village  has not  been done properly which resulted in a threat to those living  in the   low-lying lands, the administrative officials  have chosen to keep silent over the matter. The embankment on the Ganga has breached at many places and high alert has been issued in all flood posts under Haridwar district.

The local police have advised the villages in Pathri area not to go near the Ganga embankments. Announcements are also being made on loudhailers by Pathri police to people to be cautious while they move out. 

It is learnt that the water level of Ganga continued to rise and fall throughout the day, ranging from 292.30 to 292.50 metres.