Explainer: Why the Yamuna, a lifeline for states, becomes a flood risk in monsoon

The Yamuna, which is considered to be a lifeline of two states — Haryana and Uttar Pradesh — is posing threat to residents of five districts in Haryana and Delhi.Following heavy discharge from Hathnikund barrage in Yamunanagar and continuous heavy rainfall in the region, water inflow into the Yamuna has swelled manifold.As a result, the district administrations of of Yamunanagar, Karnal, Panipat, Sonepat and Faridabad sounded alert on Monday. On Tuesday, the water level in Yamuna touched 232 metres in Panipat, above the danger level (231.50 meters).From where does Yamuna river originates?Yamuna is the largest tributary of the Ganga. It originates from Yamunotri glacier in Uttarakhand and merges with the Ganga at Sangam in Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh.Total length of the Yamuna is 1,376 km and its catchment area is over 3.67 lakh sq km. Yamuna enters Haryana from Yamunanagar and after covering Karnal, Panipat and Sonepat districts, it enters Delhi. Again it passes through Faridabad and Palwal in Haryana and then enters Uttar Pradesh. The river flows around 320 km in Haryana.How much area does it covers in Panipat and Sonepat districts?The Yamuna enters Panipat from Rana Majra village and covers 33 km up to Rakshera village. Later, it enters Sonepat district and covers around 41.7 km stretch. As many as 30 villages are on the Yamuna bank in Sonepat. From Palla village, the Yamuna enters Delhi. In Panipat, the water entered eight villages — Rana Majra, Tamshabad, Garhi Besak, Nawada Aar, Nawada Par, Nagla, Patthargarh and Jalalpur village.In Sonepat, the Yamuna water entered in the fields of Bega, Chandoli, Mimarpur, Manoli, Khurrampur, Badoli, Mehandipur, Bakhtawarpur, Bhairabankipur and Dahisra villages.Why the water is being discharged on hourly basis?Due to heavy rain in the hills and the region, the water is being released from the Hathnikund Barrage on hourly basis. At 4 am, 1.65 lakh cusecs water was released from the barrage, 2.10 lakh cusecs at 5 am, 2.38 lakh cusecs at 6 am, 2.72 lakh cusecs at 7 am and 3.11 lakh cusecs at 8 am. The water reached at high with a discharge of 3.29 lakh cusecs at 9 am, 3.21 lakh cusecs water at 10 am, 319 lakh cusecs at 11 am, 3.23 lakh cusecs at 12 pm, 3.17 lakh cusecs at 1 pm, 3.03 lakh cusecs at 2 pm, 2.96 lakh cusecs at 3 pm, 2.93 lakh cusecs at 4 pm, 2.92 lakh cusecs at 5 pm, 2.63 lakh cusecs at 6 pm and 2.61 lakh cusecs at 7pm on Monday. The water released on Monday is passing from the district on Tuesday. This is the first time that the water has been rising for more than 12 hours. At 9 am on Monday, the Yamuna’s discharge touched 3.29 lakh cusecs, which was the highest and surpassed the peak of 3 lakh cusecs in 2023 that had already caused widespread damage in adjoining villages, said Mohit Kumar, Junior Engineer, Irrigation Department.Why the water flow gets slow near the Yamuna bridge?The Yamuna’s natural flow area is around two to three km. But, it stayed for some time near the Yamuna bridge, which connects Haryana with Uttar Pradesh, near Sanoli. “The water flows like a snake in the Yamuna. As it stayed near the Yamuna bridge for some time, there is possibility of damage in Rana Majra, Patthargarh and Tamsabad,” said Satish Kumar, SDO, Irrigation Department.Are there any arrangements to deal with flood-like situation?Panipat Deputy Commissioner Dr Virender Kumar Dahiya said, “The administration is prepared to deal with any flood-like situation. The Irrigation Department is keeping tabs on water flow in the Yamuna, as well as on the embankments and bridge. Further, a flood relief control room has been established. All officials have been directed not to leave their stations till September 5. Men, power and machinery have been deployed at all sensitive points near the Yamuna.”In Sonepat, DC Sushil Sarwan directed officers concerned to monitor the situation round the clock. Officials of the Irrigation Department were making people aware through “Munadi”. He also directed to start ‘Thikri pehra’ in all 30 villages adjoining the Yamuna till September 15. The residents living in low-lying areas had been told to remain cautious and follow the guidelines issued by the administration.

Explainer: Why the Yamuna, a lifeline for states, becomes a flood risk in monsoon

Mukesh Tandon

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