With heavy rains lashing both the plains and the hills of the State, the water level of Ganga and its tributaries is on the steady rise. In view of it, the Haridwar district administration has sounded alert for 30 villages under the laksar tehsil near which Ganga and Solani rivers are flowing. Besides, the four flood chowkis have also been directed to be alert. With the river breaching embankments at several places in laksar, a district administration team has inspected the entire area and gave directions to the officers concerned to take the necessary steps to control the situation.
The hills of the State have been experiencing torrential shower since the beginning of July. For the past one week, the plains have also been receiving moderate to heavy showers. Subsequently, the Ganga is flowing now in full spate. Along with the Ganga, the seasonal rivers are also swelling up, posing threat to the villages and the low-lying areas in their vicinity. Though the water level of Ganga is now much below the danger mark the district administration is leaving no chances. It has sounded alert in view of the steady rise in the water level of the river over the past few days.
Speaking to The Pioneer, SDM laksar, Kaustubh Mishra said, “We are constantly monitoring the water level of the rivers and its impact on the low -lying areas of the tehsil. We are also in constant touch with the respective chowkis. The disaster management teams are also monitoring things round the clock. We are leaving nothing to chances”
The villages under laksar now on the flood vigil are Marabela, Dallawala, Jogawala, Panditpuri, Rampur Raighati, Dabki Kheda, Naiwala, Alampura, Yahiyapur, Sherpur bela, Sahipur, Chandrapuri Kalan, Prahladpur, , Ballwali, Panjeetpuri, Mohammadpur, Maharajpur khurd, Nandpur, Gidhawalai, Damanpuri, Hastmauli and Sahipur among others.
The villages located in the vicinity of Solani river have seen water entering into several hectares of the agricultural lands of the farmers following the breach of the embankments. They have been told to be alert and to take the necessary measures to stop further damages. 'Apada Mitras' are being deputed for 24 hours by turns especially in Raiyasi, Bhikkampur, Gowardhanpur and Madabela flood relief chowkis, said Mishra.
Speaking to The Pioneer, Manik Shah, a resident of laksar, said, " Ganga breaching embankments at many places, mounds of silt are being formed mid-stream. A part of the river is now flowing near Ballawali village. The villagers are under threat."
The villagers said that last year too, Ganga breached embankment at Ramsahaiwala village in Uttar Pradesh. “The de-silting work was undertaken by the Bijnor district administration. But the course of the river was not diverted. The same is happening this year too. Ganga is flowing on its normal course and this is what we are worried about,” said the Pradhan of Ballwali village.
Meanwhile, the problem turning serious, SDM laksar has inspected the embankment of various villages under laksar tehsil on Thursday. Following the inspection, he ordered stone patching to be done at the broken and vulnerable areas.