Yamuna continues to flow above danger mark in Agra

AGRA - Yamuna continued to flow over the danger mark in this Taj city Tuesday morning, but authorities are hopeful that it would soon start to recede.

The impact of the flood in Agra region was grim, with reports of extensive damage to standing crops and the spread of water-borne diseases.

The Yamuna was still flowing more than four feet above the “medium flood” level of 499 feet, but irrigation department officials indicated that it might show a gradual fall by evening.

District authorities said the level of water “is now steady and with no reports of fresh discharges from upstream barrages, the Yamuna should start receding from Wednesday”.

The river had inundated most of the controversial Taj Heritage Corridor and wiped out the park at the rear of the Taj Mahal.

Muddy water entered the lawns of the Agra Fort. The river water gushed towards parts of the Yamuna Kinara road, a part of which caved in early Tuesday.

District Magistrate Amrit Abhijat has instructed village heads to distribute chlorine tablets and to clean up after the water recedes.

Additional District Magistrate (finance) Ram Asrey told mediapersons that the village committees had been sanctioned Rs.5,000 each to buy medicines and insecticides.

Asrey said 200 flood victims were staying at a centre. Forty three posts were keeping a round-the-clock vigil on the river and were ready to undertake rescue operations and provide medical help, he added.

Wells and tube wells were being disinfected in the rural areas.

In Mathura and Vrindavan, the low-lying areas continued to remain under water, though the water level fell by a foot.

“The pilgrims are, however, in a celebration mood. One can see hordes of them at the banks, floating lamps and offering prayers. It is after a long time that the river is full with its majestic glory restored,” said NGO Friends of Vrindavan convener Jagan Nath Poddar.