Page 23 - Floods

Punjab BJP delegation meets governor on flood issue, demands compensation

A delegation of the Punjab BJP on Thursday met Governor Banwarilal Purohit here on the flood issue, highlighting that the AAP government allegedly "failed" to take measures on time despite warnings of heavy rainfall to prevent losses suffered by farmers. The delegation was led by party's state unit chief Sunil Jakhar. "We have requested the governor that answers should be sought from this government so that people of Punjab come to know how because of negligence on part of the AAP dispensation, the heavy losses caused due to floods could have been prevented," Jakhar told reporters outside the Rah Bhavan after meeting the governor. Floods do cause losses, but more loss was suffered due to the "negligence" of the AAP government, he said, adding the government failed to handle the flood situation. Jakhar also alleged that the government failed to take necessary measures, including cleaning of drains and strengthening of embankments, that led to the flooding. In many areas, the danger

Yamuna floodwater yet to recede, despair grips farmers at relief camps

Puja Devi (47) visited the area along the Yamuna river multiple times in the past 15 days in the hope that the water that inundated her home will have receded. But every time her hopes are dashed and she returns to the relief camp dejected. Now, she fears that she will not be able to return to her humble home after officials told them that their shanties were "illegal". They will not be allowed to return even after the water reduces, they were told. While living under constant fear of losing their home, the abysmal conditions at the relief camp are causing further hardship for the family of 14. Puja Devi has been living at the relief camp since July 11. "The meals we get are half-cooked most of the time. It would be better if the government provided us with ration instead of half-cooked food," Puja Devi alleged. She had been living along the Yamuna's bank for decades with her 10 children, husband and mother-in-law, dependent on the agricultural land for sustenance. The family wa

Yamuna's water level in Delhi declines marginally, Old Railway Bridge shut

The Yamuna river in Delhi continued to flow over a metre above the danger level of 205.33 metres on Monday, forcing the authorities to suspend the movement of trains on the Old Railway Bridge. According to the Central Water Commission, the water level at the Old Railway Bridge stood at 206.30 metres at 5 pm. The level was at 206.56 metres between 5 am and 7 am, declining marginally to 206.54 metres at 8 am, and then to 206.47 metres at 12 noon. The commission has forecast that the water level will dip to 206.22 metres by 2 am on Tuesday. The river's water level at the Old Railway Bridge has been hovering around the danger mark after reaching an all-time high of 208.66 metres on July 13. It breached the danger mark again on Sunday following a surge in water discharge from the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana after heavy rain in parts of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. A railway official said the movement of trains on the bridge has been suspended due to the increase in the water ...

Steps taken to provide relief to flood-affected families: Delhi govt to HC

The Delhi government told the high court on Monday that it has taken steps to provide relief to those affected by the flooding of the Yamuna river this month. The counsel for the government submitted before a bench headed by Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma, which was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) matter seeking free ration, medical assistance etc. at the relief camps here, that a cabinet decision has been taken to provide a financial assistance of Rs 10,000 each to the affected families and shelter has also been given to them. The bench, also comprising Justice Saurabh Banerjee, asked the government to file a status report on the issue and listed the matter for further hearing on September 13. Standing counsel Santosh Kumar Tripathi, who appeared in the court on behalf of the Delhi government, also raised "serious objections" against the petition, saying it was filed without any due diligence or approaching the authorities first and "reflects as if nothing has been

Hindon river floods Ghaziabad village, more than 50 residents rescued

More than 50 people were on Sunday rescued from Karhera village located on the banks of the Hindon here after it was flooded following an increase in the water discharge in the river, a tributary of the Yamuna, officials said. A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team and the Sahibabad police used motorboats to shift residents of the village, where more than 8 feet of water has accumulated, they said. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Sahibabad, Bhaskar Verma said some villagers have been shifted to safer places while others moved to their relatives' houses. A relief camp has been set up in a school in the village. Ghaziabad MP and Union minister Gen (retd) V K Singh instructed officials to provide ration to those affected by the floods. The Hindon river has breached the embankment near the city forest. Most of the forest and the nearby colonies have been submerged. The local administration has also closed the City Park. The NDRF also rescued residents of Ataur Nangla

Punjab suffered losses of nearly Rs 1,000 crore due to floods: CM Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said on Sunday that the state suffered estimated losses of nearly Rs 1,000 crore due to recent floods. A detailed report on the losses will be sent to the Union government and a relief package will be sought, he said. An on-ground assessment of the losses will be done and people will be provided compensation, he said. Several districts of Punjab and Haryana were battered by heavy rains this month that left normal life paralysed and flooded vast tracts of agricultural land and residential areas. Mann said the water level at the Bhakra dam was below the danger mark and the state government was keeping a strict vigil on the entire situation. The chief minister was here to assess the situation in the wake of incessant rains and held discussions with officers of the Bhakra Beas Management Board and other officials, according to an official release. It is a matter of great relief that the water level at Bhakra dam was still below the danger mark so t

Heavy rains in Afghanistan unleash flash floods that kill 12 people

Heavy flooding from seasonal rains in Afghanistan has killed at least 12 people and left dozens missing, according to a Taliban spokesman and local officials. Government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Sunday that around 40 people are missing after the flash flooding late Saturday night in the Jalrez district of Maidan Wardak province, west of Kabul. He added that all relevant authorities have been ordered to provide necessary assistance to the people in the affected areas. The provincial governor's office in a statement said that hundreds of homes are either damaged or destroyed and the missing people are believed to be under the rubble of collapsed homes. The statement also said that hundreds of hectares of agricultural land were washed out and destroyed and the highway between the capital Kabul and the central Bamiyan province is also closed due to the floods.

Manufacturers of scientific instruments in Ambala hit by recent floods

One of the country's oldest hub of scientific instruments in Haryana's Ambala has been severely affected by recent floods, with manufacturers staring at losses running into crores of rupees. According to various traders' associations, the scientific instruments manufacturing units suffered an estimated loss worth more than Rs 300 crore. Most of these units supply the instruments to educational and technical institutes, while some are meant for export. The recent heavy rainfall in the region inundated vast tracts of agricultural land as well as many residential and commercial areas in the twin towns of Ambala City and Ambala Cantonment. The famous scientific instruments industry of Ambala Cantonment had to face huge losses as floodwaters entered a number of instruments manufacturing units, bringing work to a standstill and rendering machines and equipment worth crores of rupees almost defunct and raw material damaged. They said around 100 manufacturing units were submerged under 4

Loss incurred by HP due to rains estimated to be around Rs 8,000 cr: Sukhu

The Chief Minister said there is a need for immediate financial relief from the Union Government

Delhi govt on high alert as water discharge from Hathnikund rises: Atishi

Revenue Minister Atishi on Saturday said the Delhi government is on high alert due to discharge of over 2 lakh cusecs of water from the Hathnikund Barrage into the Yamuna. Some parts of Yamuna Khadar (floodplains) might get inundated if the water level in the river rises to 206.7 metres but the government is ready for evacuation, she said in a statement. According to Central Water Commission (CWC) data, the flow rate at the Yamunanagar-located Hathnikund Barrage crossed the 1 lakh-mark at 9 am and oscillated between 2 lakh and 2.5 lakh cusecs between 10 am and 4 pm. The India Meteorological Department has predicted heavy to very heavy rain in parts of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand till July 25. Atishi said regular 'munadi' (announcement) is being done in vulnerable areas to inform residents about the threat of flooding. Relief camps have been inspected and preparations made for people to stay there. The Delhi government is on high alert due to the discharge of more than 2 lakh

1,457 villages still affected by floods due to heavy rainfall in Punjab

A total of 1,457 villages in Punjab are still affected by floods caused by the recent heavy downpour in the state, officials said on Saturday. Currently, 19 districts Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Fatehgarh Sahib, Faridkot, Hoshiarpur, Rupnagar, Kapurthala, Patiala, Moga, Ludhiana, SAS Nagar, Jalandhar, Sangrur, SBS Nagar, Fazilka, Gurdaspur, Mansa, Bathinda and Pathankot are flood-affected, they said. A total of 27,221 people were evacuated from waterlogged areas and taken to safer places in the state, the officials said, adding 170 relief camps are operational in which 4,909 flood-hit people are staying. According to a report by the revenue department, 40 people lost their lives due to the floods and 15 were injured. Several districts of Punjab and Haryana were battered by the recent heavy downpour that left normal life paralysed and flooded vast tracts of residential and agricultural land. Though the floodwaters have receded in many areas of Punjab and Haryana, work on plugging brea

Heavy rain in upper reaches poses risk of another spell of floods in Delhi

A surge in discharge from the Hathnikund Barrage into the Yamuna following heavy rain in parts of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh is expected to increase the water level of the river in Delhi and impact relief and rehabilitation work in the flood-affected low-lying areas of the capital, officials said on Saturday. The river water level, which has been hovering around the danger mark of 205.33 metres for the last few days, dropped below the threshold again on Saturday morning. The Central Water Commission's (CWC) data showed the water level dropped to 205.16 metres at 4 pm on Saturday. It may drop further before the impact of rain in upper catchment areas becomes clear. The India Meteorological Department has predicted heavy to very heavy rain in parts of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand till July 25. In Uttarakhand, Haripur (126.8 mm) and Haldwani (122 mm) reported very heavy rainfall, while Mussorrie (112mm), Chakrata (83 mm), Loharkhet (68 mm), Dunda (91 mm), Purola (90 mm), Mor

Maha rains: 45 stranded due to floods in Yavatmal; IAF begins rescue ops

Two Indian Airforce helicopters have been engaged to rescue 45 people who are stranded in floods amid heavy rainfall in Mahagaon taluka of Maharashtra's Yavatmal district, an official said on Saturday. Many parts of Yavatmal have witnessed heavy rains since Friday, which inundated houses and forced people to take refuge at higher places. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in a tweet said 45 people were stranded due to floods in Anandnagar village of Mahagaon taluka. Two Indian Airforce helicopters will soon reach Nagpur and from there will leave for Mahagaon to rescue the stranded villagers, he said, adding that Mahagaon taluka recorded 231 mm rainfall. Defence PRO Nagpur Wg Cdr Ratnakar Singh in a statement informed that a Mi-17 V5 helicopter is being inducted from Nagpur to evacuate people stranded due to floods in Yavatmal. According to district authorities, Yavatmal city has been witnessing heavy rains since Friday night, which has flooded houses and roads in parts of the

Delhi Cabinet approves ex-gratia of Rs 10,000 to flood-affected families

An ex-gratia of Rs 10,000 will be provided to the families affected by the floods in Delhi ahead of their return to their homes from relief camps, an official statement issued on Wednesday said. The decision to provide financial aid to families was taken after Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal met victims to assess the situation. He expressed his concern for the flood victims, said a government statement. "The implementation of the ex-gratia relief is aimed at providing immediate financial assistance to the affected families and helping them recover from the devastating impact of the floods," he stated. The decision is particularly important at this point as it provides timely aid to affected families at a juncture when they have just started returning back from relief camps, the statement added. As per the approved Cabinet note, families affected by the floods and currently residing in relief camps will receive an ex-gratia amount of Rs 10,000. This will be subject to verification o

Yamuna water receding from Delhi, restrictions on entry of trucks lifts

With the Yamuna's water receding from Delhi, the city government has decided to lift from Wednesday restrictions on the entry of heavy goods vehicles into the national capital. The government on July 13 banned the entry of heavy goods vehicles -- barring those carrying essential items -- from the four borders, including Singhu, as a precautionary measure in view of the rising level of the Yamuna's water. The government announced partial lifting of the restrictions on July 17. It announced on Tuesday that the curbs have been fully lifted. "Considering the improvement of flood situation and descending water level of Yamuna river, it has been decided by the Competent Authority to withdraw all restrictions ... with effect from 19-07-2023 (July 19)," read the new order. The Yamuna's level at 5 pm was recorded at 205.43 metres. However, it is still flowing above the danger mark of 205.33 metres.

Delhi flood: Two of five jammed gates of ITO barrage opened so far

Two of the five jammed gates of the ITO barrage have been opened so far as the Delhi government makes an effort to get rid of waterlogging in parts of the city. Of the 32 gates of the barrage, five were jammed due to silt accumulation, hindering the quick drainage of river water. "Gate number 30 of the ITO barrage opened at 5:19 am today," Saurabh Bharadwaj tweeted on Tuesday. The Delhi government has been making efforts to open the jammed gates since July 13. The last four days saw Delhi and Haryana governments sparring over the five jammed gates of the ITO barrage. Delhi officials claimed that the jammed gates caused the river to breach its embankments, resulting in flooding in low-lying areas of the capital. The two governments have been at odds over ownership and maintenance responsibilities. The ITO barrage is owned by the Haryana government. While Delhi alleged that Haryana neglected maintenance despite repeated requests, the BJP-ruled state accused Delhi of not paying the

N Bengal floods due to Bhutan rivers, centre should have noticed: Minister

The region had received heavy rainfall, resulting in swollen rivers, disrupted roads and huge damage of property recently

Three central govt teams to visit Himachal to assess losses due to floods

Speaking to ANI Jagat Singh Negi said, Tomorrow three central teams are reaching Chandigarh, they will be visiting Mandi, Kullu and Rohru areas of Shimla district

Delhi govt partially lifts restrictions on entry of heavy goods vehicles

With the receding Yamuna levels, the Delhi government has decided to partially lift restrictions on the entry of heavy goods vehicles in the national capital. The government had banned the entry of heavy goods vehicles, barring those carrying essentials, in the city from four borders, including Singhu, as a precautionary measure in view of the rising Yamuna levels, Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said on July 13. "... it has been decided that restrictions for entry of Heavy Goods Vehicles to be removed partially, in view of receding water level of Yamuna River and improvement in flood situation in some parts of Delhi. The ban on entry of Heavy Goods Vehicles shall continue only from the Singhu Border," reads the new order. Inter-state buses from Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttarakhand terminating at ISBT Kashmere Gate will terminate at Singhu border. "The above directions will remain implemented till further orders. These directions shall not app

East Delhi, northeast Delhi largely impacted by floods: Bharadwaj

All Delhi government departments have been instructed to constantly monitor the situation in the aftermath of flooding in the national capital, city Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said on Monday. Interacting with reporters during his visit to a Delhi government hospital here, he also said that cases of conjunctivitis and skin allergy are mostly being reported from relief camps set up in the wake of flooding in various parts of Delhi. Bharadwaj said east Delhi and northeast Delhi have largely been impacted due to the floods. "After flooding, there is a fear of cases of vector-borne disease like dengue, chikungunya and malaria rising. But that trend is not being seen at the moment. Cases of conjunctivitis and skin allergy are mostly being reported from relief camps," he told reporters. Asked about the slight rise in water levels of the Yamuna in Delhi, Bharadwaj said, there have been rains in parts of north India in the last two days and now drains are discharging into the river,