Yamuna touches danger mark in Panipat, flows out without major damage

The Yamuna touched the danger level in Panipat on Monday after over 1.78 lakh cusecs of water was released from Hathnikund Barrage in Yamunanagar on Sunday afternoon. By late evening, however, the water had passed smoothly into Sonepat without causing major damage.

Officials said the river rose to 231.85 metres, reaching the danger mark, but the situation was brought under control. Nearly one lakh cusecs of water was flowing through the district on Monday evening.

XEN Irrigation Suresh Saini, along with SDO Satish Kumar and JE Mohit, led teams monitoring the river round the clock. “Our teams are regularly monitoring the studs and embankments, and keeping watch on the flow of water and erosion. The situation is completely under control. The water released from Hathnikund has passed away from the district smoothly. No damage is being reported in Panipat so far,” said Saini.

The river swelled dangerously near villages Rana Majra and Tamsabad, prompting deployment of teams close to the embankments. JE Mohit explained how bottlenecks aggravated the situation near the Yamuna bridge. “The water near the Yamuna bridge has stayed for some time due to the narrow waterway. If the length of the bridge was more, water would have flowed faster. The Yamuna’s total flow area is around 2 km wide on the upstream side of the bridge near Tamsabad, but the waterway under the bridge is just about 1 km. This causes water levels to rise in upstream areas near Tamsabad, Pathargarh and other nearby villages.”

Though officials said the immediate threat has eased, waterlogging has submerged agricultural land in the catchment area. Farmers cultivating around 14,000 acres — mainly sugarcane, sorghum, and vegetables like brinjal, bottle gourd, and chillies — have reported crop losses.

“The water level on Monday reached the danger mark, but it has now crossed the district limits and is receding. Studs have been submerged as water touched the embankments. The extent of crop damage can only be assessed once water fully recedes,” said Mohit.

Saini reiterated that the administration is on high alert: “Our teams are on high alert and keeping tabs on the situation round the clock.”