Ghaggar nearing danger mark, villagers keep vigil

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, September 25

The water level in Ghaggar has reached 745.5 feet, just about 6 feet below the danger mark (751 feet). As the level is still rising, residents of nearby villages have started strengthening the river embankments with sand bags to prevent breach. They have also formed teams to maintain round-the-clock vigil.

“At some places, the embankments are weak. The administration must have repaired those before the rainy season,” said Sukhdev Singh, a BKU Ugrahan leader.

Though the administration has been claiming that there is no reason to panic, the Ghaggar’s rising level has been giving sleepless nights to all area residents. On Monday morning at 8 am, the Ghaggar water level was 736 feet, at 2 pm, it increased to 738.8 feet and by this evening, it reached 745.5 feet.

Police and civil administration officers have been making announcements to alert residents about the rising water level.

“There is panic in villages located near the Ghaggar because it always causes huge losses when in spate,” said Baljit Singh Jammu, a farmer from Mandvi village.

Sangrur Deputy Commissioner Ghanshayam Thori on Tuesday visited the area. He said:“We are keeping a close watch on the situation and made all arrangements. Residents should not believe in rumours on social media about floods,” he said.