Ghaggar river crosses danger mark in Kaithal, farmers fear heavy crop loss

The Ghaggar river crossed its danger mark of 23 ft early Friday morning and by evening, it reached 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, although authorities maintained that the situation was under control. Standing paddy crops on hundreds of acres across several villages have been submerged.

Farmers fear that if the water continues to rise in the Ghaggar, more villages will be threatened. “Everything we cultivated this season is underwater. We don’t know how we will recover. The government must compensate us,” said Rajpal, a farmer. Shiv Kumar, another farmer, stated, “If the water doesn’t recede, we will face heavy losses.” Suresh Kumar, a third farmer, added, “We live in fear every monsoon. Only a permanent solution can save us.”

Farmers have been trying to drain their fields. Besides, roads from Rattakheda Kadam to Mohanpur and a few others are submerged, although water has not 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 the water had crossed the danger mark, the situation was “normal and under control”.

Singh said that soil-filled sacks were being used to strengthen weak points, while 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, the SDM said. 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 urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel, keep cattle indoors, and stay away from flood-prone areas, saying the administration is closely monitoring the situation.

7,500 acres submerged in Karnal district

Around 7,500 acres of agricultural 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 the 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 that nearly 7,500 acres of farmland remain underwater.