Erosion of Western Yamuna Canal slope keeps officials on toes in Karnal

Karnal, August 27

Officials of the Irrigation Department in Karnal city were on high alert throughout the day today after a slope of the Western Yamuna Canal near the railway underpass along the Eastern Bypass started eroding. The erosion process, which began in the morning, quickly spread across a width of about 150 feet, raising fears of a potential flood as nearly 10,000 cusecs of water flows through the canal.

Affected width: 150 ft

• The erosion process, which began in the morning, quickly spread across a width of about 150 feet, raising fears of a potential flood as nearly 10,000 cusecs of water flows through the canal.
• As the erosion increased, the Irrigation Department deployed manpower along with JCBs to address the fault, which could lead to a breach.
• The authorities reduced water flow by 2,000 cusecs to ease pressure on the embankment.

As the erosion increased, the Irrigation Department acted swiftly, deploying manpower along with JCBs to address the fault, which could lead to a breach. The authorities reduced the water flow by 2,000 cusecs to ease pressure on the embankment.

“The situation is under control, and there is no need to panic,” said Ranveer Tyagi, Executive Engineer (XEN) of the Irrigation Department.

“Our officials, along with machines and labourers, were pressed into service to check the erosion,” he said.

Amid these assurances and efforts, the situation was evident throughout the day, as the continuous widening of the erosion kept both officials and local residents on edge. The repair work was going on till the filing of the report. The department remains vigilant, with teams stationed at the site to monitor any further developments.

Local residents, who had been closely monitoring the situation, expressed their concerns and urged the authorities to expedite the repair process.

“The authorities should take steps to avoid any further risks. A breach could have led to a flood in the area,” said Munish Kumar, a local resident.