Ghaggar flows near danger mark, 30 Kaithal villages on high alert

The overflowing Ghaggar has once again revived memories of 2023 devastation. At Tatiana gauge, the water level has touched 22.6 feet on Wednesday, close to the 23 feet danger mark, after a discharge of 47,281 cusecs.

If the water level rises further, more than 30 villages would get flooded, said an official.

Villagers said the water had entered low-lying areas like Sihali, Rattakhera Kadam, Budanpur and Paprala, but the situation was under control.

As a result, the district administration has placed the health and animal husbandry departments on high alert.

Guhla SDM Parmesh Singh said, “We have made all arrangements to respond to any eventuality. Doctors and veterinary staff are fully prepared. Even essential supplies are in place.”

The SDM said a 15-foot-wide embankment constructed in Punjab’s Jalaha Khedi village, without approval, had diverted pressure onto the Haryana side, raising concerns in Sihali and nearby villages.

He said they had raised the matter with their counterparts in Punjab and they were monitoring the situation closely.

Learning from the 2023 floods, the authorities have kept heavy machinery and manpower ready. Poclain machines, JCBs, tractor-trailers, and pump sets have been deployed. Sandbags had also been arranged to plug breaches at short notice, said the SDM.

Schools to remain shut

Kaithal DC Preeti has ordered the closure of all schools, colleges, ITIs, anganwaris and sports complexes in the Ghuhla subdivision on September 4 as a precautionary measure under the Disaster Management Act.

She urged the residents to avoid unnecessary movement and keep livestock indoors.

Officers on the ground

Top district officers are camping in the flood zone, monitoring water levels and drainage operations.

Additional DC Deepak Babulal Karwa visited affected areas of Kaithal city, while SDMs from Kaithal, Guhla and Kalayat inspected rural pockets

Pumps have been pressed into service to expedite water discharge from low-lying areas.

Officials said stone-pitching and strengthening of 3,000-foot stretch of Ghaggar embankment has helped hold back the fury so far.