Sirsa farmers worried as Ghaggar still above danger mark

The threat of flooding continues in Sirsa district as the Ghaggar is still in spate. Although the water level dropped by one foot on Saturday, it remains close to 30,000 cusecs, keeping nearby villages on high alert. Villagers in areas like Nejadela Kalan and Panihari, through which the river passes, spent the entire night strengthening embankments. This work continued throughout the day. Locals said they were making efforts on their own to prevent flood damage, while the administration is also providing support to affected villages.

Villagers Balwinder Singh, Baljeet Singh, Rajendra Kumar, and Bhagwan Das, who were monitoring the embankment, said they had to work with battery lights as no proper lighting was arranged despite requests to the department. They also reported a rise in snake sightings during the night.

Residents warned that around 10 vulnerable spots exist between Panihari and Nejadela Kalan, where overflow could flood their fields if heavy rainfall occurs or water flow increases from upstream. According to them, if it rains heavily tonight, the Ghaggar could overflow in this stretch.

However, many villagers acknowledged that the administration was actively working alongside them. District officials said Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sharma was receiving regular updates, with teams patrolling the vulnerable areas and reporting back to senior officials.

Irrigation XEN Sandeep Sharma said lights were being installed at needed locations and essential items such as sandbags and machines had been deployed. Officials had been monitoring the embankments round the clock for the past four days, from Punjab to the Rajasthan border.

Though the water level dropped slightly, more inflow is expected. The water level at Guhla Cheeka is 27,000 cusecs and 32,000 cusecs at Sardulgarh. Authorities expect the Ghaggar’s level to remain between 30,000 and 35,000 cusecs for the next three days considered the most critical period.

A total of 24 teams are working round-the-clock from Punjab to the Rajasthan border. Village sarpanches are in constant contact with officials to ensure all necessary help reaches the people.

Meanwhile, dark clouds hovered over the district on Saturday, and the weather department warned of heavy rain by night. If it rains, river levels could rise further, and cotton crops may suffer major damage.