Haryana's Irrigation Minister Ajay Singh Yadav on Monday demanded that the Punjab Government initiate action against those who caused breaches in the Ghaggar river and diverted water into the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal. Punjab has claimed that the breaches in the SYL canal falling in Patiala district are being plugged.
The official death toll due to floods in Haryana has been put at 21, with 11 deaths reported from Ambala and 10 from Kurukshetra.
Ambala Deputy Commissioner S. P. Sarao said he had spoken to his Patiala counterpart Deepinder Singh and they will jointly visit the affected areas in both States.
Mr. Yadav told the media here that as per preliminary enquiries some “mischievous elements” caused the breaches in Punjab which resulted in extensive flooding in Haryana, especially in Ambala, Kaithal, Kurukshetra, Fatehabad and Sirsa districts.
He said the SYL canal has limited capacity and the release of large volume of water from Punjab resulted in the breaches in the Haryana part of the canal also.
Joint patrolling
The Minister said security agencies from both Punjab and Haryana should do joint patrolling of the SYL canal.
Mr. Yadav also refuted Punjab's allegation that the Hansi-Butana Canal had been constructed “illegally” and it was obstructing the natural flow of water to Punjab.
Even though the overall flood situation in the State is improving, the scenario is still “worrisome'' in Sirsa, Fatehabad and Kaithal districts, he added. All district Deputy Commissioners have been directed to take precautionary measures.
He further disclosed that 20 villages are affected in Sirsa district and the authorities are keeping a close watch on the level of the Ghaggar.
Canal cleaning
Mr. Yadav further said that the Haryana Government has decided to make budgetary provisions for maintenance of the SYL Canal portion falling in Haryana territory. He also urged the Punjab Government to check the excess flow of water into Haryana; otherwise the matter would be taken up with the Centre.
Meanwhile, Haryana Chief Secretary Urvashi Gulati directed Agriculture Department officials to disseminate information concerning alternative crops that could be sown in flood-affected areas.
Reviewing the flood situation in Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Fatehabad and Sirsa districts, she directed the Irrigation Department officials to take immediate measures to prevent further breaching of canals. She also directed the Power Department to take up preventive measures to protect all sub-stations and major installations.
Hooda to visit affected areas
Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said in Rohtak that relief and rescue operations are being carried out in the affected areas. He will be visiting the flood-affected areas of Sirsa and Tohana in Fatehabad on Tuesday.
He said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi had assured all financial assistance to Haryana.
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