Ghaggar crosses danger mark in Kaithal, farmers fear heavy crop losses

The Ghaggar crossed its danger mark of 23ft early Friday morning and by evening touched 23.4 ft near Tatiana village in Kaithal district, with a discharge of over 49,000 cusecs. The surge sparked panic among residents and farmers but the authorities maintained the situation was under control.

Standing paddy crops on hundreds of acres across several villages have been submerged. Farmers fear that if water continues to rise in the Ghaggar, more villages would be threatened. “Everything we cultivated this season is under water. We do not know how we will recover. The government must compensate us,” said Rajpal, a farmer.

Shiv Kumar, another farmer, maintained, “If water does not recede, we will face heavy losses.”

“We live in fear every monsoon. Only a permanent solution can save us,” said Suresh Kumar, another farmer.

Farmers have been trying to drain their fields. Roads from Rattakheda Kadam to Mohanpur and a few others are submerged but water has not yet entered residential areas.

Guhla SDM Parmesh Singh visited flood-affected villages including Bhagal, Bhunsla, Rattakheda Kadam, Sihali, Paprala, Mohanpur, Maingra, Baupur, Kamhedi, Khambehra, Sarola, Rattakheda Lukman and Bubakpur. He assured villagers that while water had crossed the danger mark, the situation was “normal and under control.” He said soil-filled sacks were being used to strengthen weak points and JCBs and heavy machinery remained on standby.

The Block Development and Panchayat Officer is in constant touch with sarpanches. Night patrols are being conducted and villagers are being advised to stay away from the river. Singh also promised uninterrupted power, drinking water and medical facilities. The Health Department has deployed two mobile vans and OPD services in flood-hit areas, while veterinary teams are guiding farmers on cattle care. Awareness camps are being organised to prevent livestock loss, said the SDM.

The police and disaster response teams are on alert, monitoring vulnerable areas and enforcing restrictions on residents venturing near the river or submerged fields. Schools and anganwadi centres remained closed on Friday.

Deputy Commissioner Preeti said the administration is closely monitoring the situation and urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel, keep cattle indoors, and stay away from flood-prone areas.

7,500 acres submerged in Karnal district

Karnal: Around 7,500 acres of agriculture land across 21 villages in Karnal district have been submerged, causing widespread concern among farmers. Farmers fear that their paddy and sugarcane crops may suffer extensive damage, with soil erosion reported in many fields. On Friday, water entered Kunjpura village fields, worsening farmers’ distress. There has been slight relief as water has begun receding in the Yamuna and some affected fields. Farmers are anxious as prolonged waterlogging threatens the standing crop. While the government is yet to release an official survey, the Revenue Department’s initial assessment confirms nearly 7,500 acres of farmland remain under water.