Rain relents but flood threat prevails in plains; Delhi on alert as Yamuna is in spate

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, August 19 

More than 30 people have died in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand over the weekend as rain continues to batter the region, causing flooding in several parts. Delhi, too, has been put on alert as waters in the Yamuna approached the danger mark.  

Even as there was some relief from the rain, the meteorological department has predicted that the downpour is likely to continue in parts of the Himachal Pradesh for another 24 hours. Light-to-moderate rainfall will occur at many places with heavy rains expected at isolated places in the state.

At least 22 people were killed and 12 others injured in rain-related incidents in the state. The Met Department said the state received the highest-ever rainfall for a 24-hour period, since records began almost 70 years ago.

The Chamba-Bharmour road has been washed away in certain parts of the state by the Ravi river. The road is the only connecting link to Bharmour and the Holi tribal valleys of Chamba district. 

The death toll in rain-related incidents in Uttarkhand is 10, nine of them in cloudbursts in Uttarkashi district alone where a number of people are still missing. Several houses and hectares of agricultural land were also washed away as rain inundated six villages in Mori block of Uttarkashi.

• Read: Flooding in several areas of Punjab, CM orders girdwari in Ropar
• 9 of family airlifted in Karnal village as Yamuna swells
• 10 killed, several missing as heavy rain batters Uttarakhand
• Water level in Yamuna crosses warning mark, Kejriwal calls meeting

A major breach was reported in the Dhussi bundh in Punjab at four places in Bholewal, Meowal and two other places near Phillaur in this district. The death of a 3-year-old has been reported from Ropar due to drowning. Punjab CM Amarinder Singh will visit flood-affected areas in Ropar on Monday.  

In Delhi, as the water level in the Yamuna crossed the warning mark on Monday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called a meeting of departments concerned to assess the situation and review the arrangements in place.

The Yamuna was flowing at 204.7 metres on Monday and its water level is expected to rise up to 207 metres as 8.28 lakh cusecs water was released from Haryana’s Hathini Kund barrage at 6 pm on Sunday, an official said.

In Haryana, several villages in Sonepat distict near the Yamuna have been asked to vacate as water is expected to enter the villages on Monday night.