Breach in Rohtak’s Pakasma drain plugged

The district administration is on alert and the administrative officials on their toes due to constant rain in Rohtak and surrounding areas for several days.

Different blocks of the district have received 30 to 96 mm of rain in the past 24 hours. It continued to rain at the time of filing the report on Tuesday evening.

The incessant rain and release of large quantities of water in canals and drains led to overflowing canals.

A minor breach in Pakasma Drain at Samchana village in the district was also reported.

The breach in the drain was plugged by alert villagers and Irrigation Department officials. The administrative machinery has been put on high alert to prevent any breaches. “The water supply in the local canals has been stopped in view of the prevailing situation. The water drained out from agricultural fields and other waterlogged areas is being discharged in the drains and these are flowing smoothly. The situation is being closely monitored and embankments are being strengthened as and when required,” said Arun Munjal, Executive Engineer, Irrigation Department.

Meanwhile, Rohtak Deputy Commissioner Sachin Gupta inspected Drain No 8 and other sensitive sites along with senior officials of the departments concerned.

During the inspection, he instructed the officers to ensure that the flow of water in the drain continued smoothly. The level of water in the drain and its embankments should be constantly monitored, he added.

Gupta stated that a water disposal would be set up at a cost of Rs 17 crore to provide a permanent solution to the problem of waterlogging in the Gaukaran area of the old city.

The Deputy Commissioner also directed the officials to prepare an action plan to deal with any emergency arising during the rainy season.

“Apart from drainage, special focus should be on cleanliness, sewer cleaning, power supply and fogging in water-logged areas to prevent dengue and malaria,” he stated.

Gupta reviewed drainage and the Haryana Shehar Swachhta Campaign with Municipal Commissioner Dr Anand Kumar Sharma, ADC Narendra Kumar and senior officers of other departments.

He instructed the officers of the Irrigation, Public Health, UHBVN, PWD, and other departments to ensure effective drainage of water from roadsides and prepare contingency plans.

The Deputy Commissioner asserted that flood control rooms at district and subdivisional levels must be functional 24x7 and records of phone calls received should be maintained.

He directed the DRO to prepare reports of actions taken on complaints received regarding flooding.

Gupta said the district administration’s priority was to ensure drainage of water from inhabited areas, followed by draining water from agricultural fields. He also reviewed arrangements made by the Irrigation Department in this regard and issued necessary directions.