Ghaggar, Markanda flowing above danger mark, triggers panic in Ambala, K'shetra

For the second time in a week, the Tangri river in Ambala Cantonment has left the colonies situated on the riverbed and the adjoining areas severely flooded. Panic gripped residents soon after the district administration sounded an alert and they were requested to shift to safer places.

Over 40,500 cusecs water was flowing in the river on Wednesday evening and the level is expected to increase later in the night. On August 29, a maximum level of 38,000 cusecs was recorded, and it had left the colonies waterlogged.

Roshni, a resident of Aman Nagar, said, “We were yet to get settled after the river flooded our houses last week, and now again, the river has left us on the roads with our children and belongings.”

Another resident, Mohan Ram, said, “All the furniture and clothes have been ruined and we are left with nothing. The government should find a permanent solution as we can't suffer losses repeatedly.”

Teams of SDRF were deployed by the district administration to rescue people stuck in their houses due to waterlogging.

Meanwhile, the rising level of Ghaggar and Markanda has also compounded the problem. A discharge of 52,649 cusecs was registered in Markanda at Mullana, while a discharge of 22,000 cusecs was recorded in the Ghaggar in the evening.

Deputy Commissioner Ajay Singh Tomer said, “The water levels in Ghaggar, Tangri, and Markanda have been rising and the rivers are flowing over the danger mark. Alert has been sounded for residents living in the colonies near the rivers. Arrangements are being made by the district administration. Irrigation department officials have been directed to strengthen the embankments to avoid any breach.”

Similarly, in Kurukshetra, the Markanda was flowing above the danger mark in Shahabad, Jhansa and Jalbhera. The river has been flowing through agricultural fields in Shahabad. DC Vishram Kumar Meena said, “Nearly 20 villages have been affected by the Markanda. Alert has been sounded and village residents are being requested to shift to safer places. Pumps have been deployed to pump out water from residential areas in Kathwa and Tangroe villages.”

Meanwhile, breaches have been reported in Rakshi river in Ladwa area. SDM Ladwa Pankaj Setia said the breaches had been plugged and the situation was under control.

Yamunanagar DC Parth Gupta also visited vulnerable areas along the Yamuna and directed officials to strengthen the embankments and make arrangements to prevent land erosion.

3 killed as roofs collapse

Two men were killed and four suffered injuries after the roof of a room they were sleeping in collapsed near Amar Vihar Colony of Shahabad in Kurukshetra. In Yamunanagar, one man identified as Maan Singh was killed, while his wife and three children suffered injuries after the roof of their kutcha house collapsed in the Radaur area of the district.