Amid a rupture in the Munak canal, which supplies around 36.7 per cent of water (719 cusecs) from Haryana to Delhi, residential colonies in Bawana in the national Capital turned into a river on Thursday, wreaking havoc in the daily lives of the people and stranding residents in their houses. A breach in the Carrier Lined Channel (CLC) of the canal, part of the Western Yamuna Canal, led to water entering the J, K, and L blocks of the colony in northwest Delhi early Thursday, causing significant inconvenience and concern for the locals.
Videos on social media reflect the gravity of the situation with the residents trying to wade through knee-deep flooding and even waist deep water in parts of the area. Residents of the area expressed frustrations over the sudden flooding bringing their lives to halt. Shailesh Kumar, a resident of JJ block, said he was unable to go to his work and blamed the Delhi Government for not doing enough for them.
“We have informed all the concerned departments, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Flood Control Department, Public Welfare Department, and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), at midnight after the canal overflowed,” a police official said.
Taking serious note of the situation, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena expressed concerns over the breach of a branch of Munak Canal and instructed the Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar to take the matter up with State Water Minister Atishi and Flood Control Department Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj.
“The breach in the Munak Canal underlines the absence of adequate maintenance of the Canal, which should have been undertaken by Delhi Jal Board (DJB) through Haryana Irrigation Department from time to time,” a letter by the Principal Secretary to the LG read.
An official of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) said, “A report was received regarding the damage in the lining of Western Yamuna Canal being maintained by Haryana Irrigation Department (HID) near Bawana in the early morning of June 11. This has resulted in flooding in the adjoining areas of Bawana JJ Colony.”
Informing that the field staff have been rushed to the site for taking immediate remedial measures, he said, “Water is being drained by temporarily puncturing the existing storm water drain, coordinated with NDRF, MCD, SDM Narela, DJB, public representatives and local residents for providing relief from this situation.” Resources such as JCB, Dewatering pump, drinking water tanker and mobile toilet have also been deployed at the location by DDA.
Flow of water from Sonipat has reduced and authorities have requested Haryana to close gates on the canal to control the flow, officials said. The canal originates from the Yamuna river in Munak in Haryana’s Karnal district.
Delhi Minister Atishi visited the site and said, “We are at the entry point at the Munak Canal in Bawana. Last night between 12 am and 2 am, there was a breach in the embankment, the water entered the adjacent areas. This canal is maintained by Haryana Irrigation Dept, their team is here, the DJB team is here, the repair work is being done.”
Assuring that the situation will be under control, she said, “In the next few hours, the repair will be completed. From tomorrow morning, water will start coming into the Canal. Three to four water treatment plants are affected, the production has decreased. In the Dwarka area, normal water supply will resume by tomorrow evening. Inquiry is required to know whether there was foul play.”
The canal was also breached in June last year, affecting the water supply to several areas of Delhi for two days.
North west BJP MP Yogendra Chandolia reached among the people of Bawana and assured all possible help to the people. Trying to corner the AAP led Delhi government on the issue, he accused the AAP government and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) of not responding adequately. “Calls were made to the Municipal Corporation, water board officials, and flood irrigation, but only seven pumps were installed after 11 AM, which was insufficient,” Chandolia stated.
