Fresh breaches, more rain in Haryana, Punjab
By IANSThursday, July 8, 2010
CHANDIGARH - The army was Thursday called for rescue and relief work in Haryana’s Kaithal district Thursday as fresh breaches in rivers and canals in Haryana and Punjab flooded more areas.
At least 10 people have been killed by drowning or electrocution in flood-affected areas of both states.
Three youngsters drowned in flood waters near Kharar town, 20 km from here.
After a break of over 30 hours, moderate to heavy rainfall started in several areas of Haryana’s flooded Kurukshetra and Ambala Thursday afternoon.
The army is engaged in rescue and relief operations in the two districts.
A fresh breach took place in the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal near Darsi village in Kurukshetra, inundating several villages and hundreds of acres of standing paddy and other crops.
Another breach occurred in the Ghaggar river, which is in spate in Punjab and Haryana, in Kaithal district. Kaithal became the third district in Haryana to be affected by the flood waters.
The army was called to help the Kaithal administration in rescue and relief work as seven villages - Tatiana, Khushal Majra, Baupur, Hemu Majra, Lalpur, Seo-Majra and Bhatian — have come under water due to a breach on both sides of the Ghaggar river.
Kaithal Deputy Commissioner Amneet P. Kumar said: “The flooding has affected 5,000 residents of these villages.
“The Ghaggar river is flowing above the danger mark at Guhla in the district. A public announcement has been made and the population has been moved to safer places. NGOs have been asked to prepare dry ration for the flood-affected people,” he said.
In neighbouring Punjab, a fresh breach was reported in the Ghaggar river in Sangrur district, leading to flooding of vast stretches of agricultural land.
“Eatables have been provided to the people. Ropes and candles are being made available. A mini truck has been made available for every two villages to carry eatables and other materials to the flood-hit people,” the deputy commissioner added.
He said doctors have been sent to the flooded villages. Officials of the animal husbandry and dairy department have been asked to provide medicines to protect the livestock against water-borne diseases.
Chandigarh, the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana, was also lashed by rain Thursday afternoon.
