In Ambala Cantt, Tangri water enters houses

The Tangri has once again left the houses built in the colonies on the riverbed and adjoining areas waterlogged in Ambala Cantonment on Friday.

Tangri is a seasonal river which swells when there is heavy rain in the Shivalik region. Residents have shifted their belongings on the roofs and other safer places as the water has entered their houses.

The women and the elderly are sitting on the road, protecting their belongings and small children, while youngsters help each other shift the furniture to safer places.

The danger mark of the river is 15,400 cusecs and the river received over 38,000 cusecs till Friday evening.

Hansraj, on his tri-cycle, said: “We couldn’t shift the furniture and heavy items, and had to leave the house with some ration and important items. It is unfortunate to see your household stuff getting ruined by the sludge. Even in 2023, the river left a trail of large-scale damage.”

Similarly, Mukesh Kumar, a labourer, said “Women and young children are forced to spent time on roads and wait for the water to recede. There was 5-7 feet water at various locations. The government should construct a bundh to protect the residents and also deploy mobile toilets for residents.”

SDRF personnel and policemen led by Mahesh Nagar police station SHO Jitender evacuated a large number of residents who took shelter on the roofs of their respective houses.

Independent leader Chitra Sarwara said: “The government has failed to protect the residents living in these colonies once again. Tall claims were made, but again, there is several feet water inside the houses and people will suffer losses again.”

Ambala Cantonment SDM Vinesh Kumar said: “The administration is on alert and has made arrangements for the food and stay for the affected families. A close watch is being kept on the situation. Though there is water in the houses, no injury or loss of life has been reported so far.”

Cabinet Minister Anil Vij assessed the situation and directed the district administration to evacuate residents living within the river’s vulnerable areas to safer locations to avoid any untoward incident.

He said “Before the monsoon, the work was started to deepen the Tangri and it has helped in controlling the situation. The remaining work will resume after the rainy season."

Meanwhile, the Markanda and Begna rivers were also in full spate, causing panic among residents of villages in Mullana. Due to the overflowing river, water entered in Hema Majra and Gola villages.

Superintending Engineer (Irrigation Department) Manish Kumar said “The water level in Tangri is 38,000 cusecs, which was nearly the flood level of 2023. The river water has started receding and the situation will be under control in the next few hours. Similarly, the water in the Markanda and Begna has also started receding.”