High alert sounded as Ghaggar nears danger mark after fresh spell of rain

Following continuous heavy rainfall across Himachal Pradesh and Haryana since last night, the water level in the Ghaggar river has risen dangerously close to the warning mark, prompting the district administration to issue a high alert advisory this morning.

As of 10.40 am, the district administration has appealed to residents to exercise extreme caution. “People must stay away from rivers, nullahs, and water-logged areas. Standing on riverbanks or bridges to watch the water flow is extremely dangerous and must be strictly avoided,” stated the advisory issued by the office of the Deputy Commissioner.

In case of an emergency, residents have been asked to immediately contact the Flood Control Room at 0172-2562135.

Adding to the situation, Kaushalya Dam in Pinjore — a key tributary of the Ghaggar-Hakra river system — began releasing water at 7 am, with a steady outflow of 900 cusecs continuing at the time of reporting. Sirens were sounded in surrounding areas early in the morning to alert residents in low-lying and downstream zones.

Munish Kumar, SDO of the Kaushalya Dam, reassured the public that the situation remains under control. “The dam is designed with a 3.5-metre freeboard, meaning the usual water level is maintained at 474.5 metre to allow for sudden inflows during flash floods or cloudbursts. The release is routine, and there is no need to panic. The dam had last reached the danger level of 478 metres in 2023, but we are far below that today,” he said.

Kaushalya River, a tributary of the Ghaggar-Hakra River, flows through the hilly terrain of Pinjore in Haryana and plays a crucial role in managing floodwaters during the monsoon season.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, and the public has been urged to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary travel near flood-prone zones, and follow updates through official channels.