High alert in Haridwar as Ganga water level touches danger mark

HARIDWAR: Heavy rainfall in hilly areas of Garhwal region has caused the water level of Ganga to touch the danger mark in Haridwar.
District administration issued a high alert in the entire district on Sunday and asked officers and police administration to be ready for quick response in case of any emergency. According to district administration, around 28 villages in Laksar region close to Ganga are in “extreme danger” and local police has informed the villagers to remain far away from the low-lying areas.Those who live near the river bank are also being evacuated by the police. In city areas, too, police evacuated Van Gurjars and several others who live in huts in low-lying places.
Irrigation department SDO (UP) Vikrant Kumar told TOI, “We fear that water level may cross the danger mark by Monday morning. No extra water is being discharged from Tehri dam. But Alaknanda river is flowing to its full capacity due to which the water level has been rising continuously. We have informed the district administration and asked them to take every possible step.”
Meanwhile, district disaster management office issued an alert to all flood posts and asked police to evacuate villagers from low-lying areas.
District disaster management officer Meera Kaintura said, “Water may enter into several villages in Laksar area like Maharajpur Kalan, Maharajpur Khurd and Balashali which are situated near the Ganga. Around 28 villages in Laksar are flood-affected and we are keeping a close eye on the situation.”