Yamuna swells past warning mark, Panipat and Sonepat on high alert

The district administrations of Panipat and Sonepat have sounded an alert as the Yamuna continues to swell following heavy discharge from Hathnikund barrage and persistent rainfall in the region. The river has been flowing at the warning level for over 12 hours.

Officials in both districts have been directed not to leave station till September 5 in view of the heavy inflow. At 9 am on Monday, the Yamuna’s discharge touched 3.29 lakh cusecs — the day’s highest — surpassing last year’s peak of 3 lakh cusecs that had already caused widespread damage in adjoining villages.

“With the continued discharge from the Hathnikund barrage, the water level in Yamuna is continuously on the rise. This is for the first time that the water has been rising for more than 12 hours at a stretch,” said Mohit Kumar, JE, Irrigation Department.

Villages including Tamshabad, Nawada Aar, Nawada Par, Sanoli, Patthargarh and Rana Majra have been put on high alert. Heavy machinery — three poclains, six JCBs, eight tractors with trolleys — along with over 100 irrigation employees have been deployed along the river to tackle emergencies.

Top officials, including CEO Zila Parishad Dr Kiran Singh and SDM Samalkha Amit Kumar, visited vulnerable areas on Monday and ordered the implementation of Thikri Pehra (community night patrols) in villages.

Panipat DC Dr Virender Dahiya said, “The administration is fully prepared to deal with any flood-like situation and is keeping a close tab on developments. A flood relief control room has been set up at the mini-secretariat (helpline: 0180-2653850), which will be manned round the clock.”

In Sonepat, alerts have been sounded in nearly 30 villages along the Yamuna. Deputy Commissioner Sushil Sarwan said, “Water is increasing every hour in the Yamuna due to heavy discharge from Hathnikund barrage. All officials have been directed to monitor the water flow and villagers are being informed through Munadi. The administration is completely on alert mode and citizens living in low-lying areas are appealed to remain cautious and follow guidelines.”