Floods feared as Yamuna banks not repaired yet

Tribune News Service

Karnal, May 29

As monsoon approaches people living along the Yamuna are a worried lot. Little is being done to prevent flooding in the river. Work to maintain the river’s bank is progressing at a snail’s pace. Now, past its May 15 deadline, it would take another month to complete the job.

Residents said dredging to deepen and widen the river had not been done for more than two years. This has reduced the water carrying capacity of the river, thereby, increasing the risk of flooding.

“The river bed should be de-silted in public interest,” said Babbu, a resident of Jammu Khala village.

The sources in the department said that de-silting of Yamuna cannot be done due to ban on river mining.

The work to repair the river bank is yet to begin at some places. Old studs have not been restored and heaps of stones lay scattered at several places.

Mandeep Brar, Deputy Commissioner, has directed the authorities to complete the work by June 15.

He also appointed concerned SDM to get the work expedited.“We have started the work at Shergarh Tapu, Kundakalan and Sadarpur. It would be done by June 15,” said ML Rana, SE, Irrigation.

More than 30 villages along Yamuna, including Garhpur Tapu, Nabiabad, Nabipur, Jammu Khala, Mustafabad, Dakwala, Lalupura, Sadarpur, Mundugarhi, Nasirpur, Bazidpur and Shergarh Tapu among others are most vulnerable to flooding during the monsoon season.