Delhiites woes with the rain and water-logging continued for yet another day on Thursday.
According to the Meteorological Department, a total of 0.7 mm of rainfall was received during the day.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi central control room received 105 complaints of water-logging. The worst affected were South Zone and West Zone which received 56 and 13 complaints respectively. In addition, 14 complaints of falling of trees and two complaints of falling of portions of building were also received from various parts of the city. The maximum number of tree falling complaints were received from South Zone.
The areas affected due to water-logging included Moolchand flyover, ITO, Vikas Marg, Gautam Nagar and Mehrauli, Adhchini among othe
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
After deluge, Punjab, Haryana in blame game ( Indian Express 12 July 2010)
After floods claimed 33 lives in Punjab and Haryana and caused an estimated loss of nearly Rs 1,400 crore, a blame game has started between the two states.
Ironically, the two states have been fighting over water issues in the past,
with Punjab maintaining that it did not have a drop to spare and Haryana remaining determined to have its share of water from its neighbouring state.
The two states are now involved in yet another row, this time not over lack of water, but excess of it.
Punjab’s Deputy Chief Minister and head of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal, Sukhbir Singh Badal has alleged that the construction of Hansi Bhutana multi-purpose canal in Haryana was causing floods in Punjab. “We have taken photographs (of the canal) and will be giving it to the Central Water Commission,” Badal had said.
Hitting back, the Haryana government said the “propaganda being spread by the Punjab government by accusing Haryana for floods in Punjab territory is palpably false and grossly misleading.”
Principal Adviser to Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, R N Prasher, has claimed that the problems faced by his state have their origin in Punjab because the Ghaggar water has been “diverted” to the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal in Punjab.
“Since the SYL canal has a limited capacity, release of large volumes of flood waters in the canal has resulted in breaches of its banks in Ambala and Kurukshetra districts of Haryana. These man-made, deliberate and uncalled for illegal actions in Punjab territory have caused immense avoidable misery to the people of Haryana,” Prasher alleged.
In a communique to the Centre, Punjab has demanded that a team of the Central Water Commission be deputed to check the “damage” caused by the Hansi Butana canal, which it claims was stopping the natural flow of water of Ghaggar river.
21 Rajasthan districts still dry (Jaipur)
Nearly two-third of Rajasthan’s 33 districts have received scanty or deficit rains till now. The monsoon arrived late by over a fortnight in the state. Of the 21 almost dry districts, thirteen fall under scanty and eight in the deficit category of rainfall, an official said.
Jalore, Pali, Sirohi, Ajmer, Tonk, Dholpur, Jaipur, Sawaimadhopur, Bundi, Jhalawar, Banswara, and Dungarpur were among the district that received scanty rainfall while Bhilwara, Bharatpur, Karauli, Kota, Baran, Chittorgarh, Pratapgarh and Rajsamand were under deficit rainfall districts.
Normal rains up to 19 per cent occurred in five districts, excess upto 60 per cent in three and abnormal rains in four districts.
Govindargh recorded a maximum rainfall of 320 mm followed by Kotkasim 233 mm in Alwar district. Whereas Banswara recorded a minimum of 7.0 mm followed by Pali 27 mm so far. Jaipur received 119.3 mm rainfall as against the average rainfall of 585 mm.
In the past 24 hours, light to moderate rains occurred in Tonk, Bharatpur, Dholpur, Karauli, Sawaimadhopur, Alwar, Dausa, and Baran districts. The rainfall varied between 10 mm to 60 mm.
Ironically, the two states have been fighting over water issues in the past,
with Punjab maintaining that it did not have a drop to spare and Haryana remaining determined to have its share of water from its neighbouring state.
The two states are now involved in yet another row, this time not over lack of water, but excess of it.
Punjab’s Deputy Chief Minister and head of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal, Sukhbir Singh Badal has alleged that the construction of Hansi Bhutana multi-purpose canal in Haryana was causing floods in Punjab. “We have taken photographs (of the canal) and will be giving it to the Central Water Commission,” Badal had said.
Hitting back, the Haryana government said the “propaganda being spread by the Punjab government by accusing Haryana for floods in Punjab territory is palpably false and grossly misleading.”
Principal Adviser to Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, R N Prasher, has claimed that the problems faced by his state have their origin in Punjab because the Ghaggar water has been “diverted” to the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal in Punjab.
“Since the SYL canal has a limited capacity, release of large volumes of flood waters in the canal has resulted in breaches of its banks in Ambala and Kurukshetra districts of Haryana. These man-made, deliberate and uncalled for illegal actions in Punjab territory have caused immense avoidable misery to the people of Haryana,” Prasher alleged.
In a communique to the Centre, Punjab has demanded that a team of the Central Water Commission be deputed to check the “damage” caused by the Hansi Butana canal, which it claims was stopping the natural flow of water of Ghaggar river.
21 Rajasthan districts still dry (Jaipur)
Nearly two-third of Rajasthan’s 33 districts have received scanty or deficit rains till now. The monsoon arrived late by over a fortnight in the state. Of the 21 almost dry districts, thirteen fall under scanty and eight in the deficit category of rainfall, an official said.
Jalore, Pali, Sirohi, Ajmer, Tonk, Dholpur, Jaipur, Sawaimadhopur, Bundi, Jhalawar, Banswara, and Dungarpur were among the district that received scanty rainfall while Bhilwara, Bharatpur, Karauli, Kota, Baran, Chittorgarh, Pratapgarh and Rajsamand were under deficit rainfall districts.
Normal rains up to 19 per cent occurred in five districts, excess upto 60 per cent in three and abnormal rains in four districts.
Govindargh recorded a maximum rainfall of 320 mm followed by Kotkasim 233 mm in Alwar district. Whereas Banswara recorded a minimum of 7.0 mm followed by Pali 27 mm so far. Jaipur received 119.3 mm rainfall as against the average rainfall of 585 mm.
In the past 24 hours, light to moderate rains occurred in Tonk, Bharatpur, Dholpur, Karauli, Sawaimadhopur, Alwar, Dausa, and Baran districts. The rainfall varied between 10 mm to 60 mm.
Flood Situation Worsens in Haryana, Punjab: Scores of Villages Inundated (Indian Express 09 July 2010)
Flood situation in Punjab and Haryana has worsened further as many villages were inundated following fresh breaches in Hansi Butana canal in Kaithal and Ghaggar in Sangrur district even though army and other authorities tried to plug the breaches, said media reports.
Officials said that a 15 feet breach occurred in Hansi Butana canal in Haryana and flooded as many as 40 villages badly, reports said.
They further said that two breaches of about 50 to 60 feet were created due to gushing waters in Ghaggar river at Rasoli and Naiwala villages in Sangrur district of Punjab, inundating some other 50 villages, said reports.
With these fresh breaches, problems have been further compounded and army personnel called to plug these breaches at the earlier, reports said.
Official said that a 30 feet breach on road disrupted traffic on the Ambala-Hisar highway and army personnel are trying hard to restore traffic on the road, said reports.
In the meanwhile, PTI quoted a senior railway official as saying that the rail traffic had been restored on Ambala-Chandigarh railway line, reports said.
“Everything is under control…all train services have been restored in the region…few trains are cancelled due to late running of certain other trains,” Ambala’s Railway Commercial Manager GM Singh was quoted as saying.
According to reports, more than 200 villages in Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Sangrur, Patiala and Mohali district are flood-affected.
Reports from flood-hit areas of Kurukshetra and Ambala in Haryana and Ludhiana in Punjab said that the water levels had been receding at a snail pace, however, many places still remained submerged under around ten feet of water.
Army, district administration, social organisations and villagers are working hard to plug existing breaches in Satluj Yamuna Link in Kurukshetra district, three in Tangri river in Ambala district and two in Ghaggar in Sangrur district, said reports.
The Met office had predicted rainfall at isolated places in parts of Punjab and Haryana during the next few hours, reports said.
Haryana Pillokhera received 30 mm of rainfall followed 17 mm in Sadaura, 9 mm in Karnal, 4 mm in Jind and 2 mm in Sonepat.
Reports from Sonepat said that the Yamuna is flowing in its full furry and people living close to the banks of the river had been advised to shift to safer places.
Officials said that a 15 feet breach occurred in Hansi Butana canal in Haryana and flooded as many as 40 villages badly, reports said.
They further said that two breaches of about 50 to 60 feet were created due to gushing waters in Ghaggar river at Rasoli and Naiwala villages in Sangrur district of Punjab, inundating some other 50 villages, said reports.
With these fresh breaches, problems have been further compounded and army personnel called to plug these breaches at the earlier, reports said.
Official said that a 30 feet breach on road disrupted traffic on the Ambala-Hisar highway and army personnel are trying hard to restore traffic on the road, said reports.
In the meanwhile, PTI quoted a senior railway official as saying that the rail traffic had been restored on Ambala-Chandigarh railway line, reports said.
“Everything is under control…all train services have been restored in the region…few trains are cancelled due to late running of certain other trains,” Ambala’s Railway Commercial Manager GM Singh was quoted as saying.
According to reports, more than 200 villages in Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Sangrur, Patiala and Mohali district are flood-affected.
Reports from flood-hit areas of Kurukshetra and Ambala in Haryana and Ludhiana in Punjab said that the water levels had been receding at a snail pace, however, many places still remained submerged under around ten feet of water.
Army, district administration, social organisations and villagers are working hard to plug existing breaches in Satluj Yamuna Link in Kurukshetra district, three in Tangri river in Ambala district and two in Ghaggar in Sangrur district, said reports.
The Met office had predicted rainfall at isolated places in parts of Punjab and Haryana during the next few hours, reports said.
Haryana Pillokhera received 30 mm of rainfall followed 17 mm in Sadaura, 9 mm in Karnal, 4 mm in Jind and 2 mm in Sonepat.
Reports from Sonepat said that the Yamuna is flowing in its full furry and people living close to the banks of the river had been advised to shift to safer places.
Fresh breaches, high alert in Haryana (Indian Express 09 July 2010)
Several districts in Haryana were on high alert as heavy rain continued and the Yamuna rose further. As the Army struggled to plug the 40-foot breach in the SYL canal at village Jogan Khera near Jyotisar in Kurukshetra district, a fresh breach erupted at Darsi village. Over 40 villages in the district are now under water, the new breach at Darsi having flooded a dozen today.
The breaches on both sides of the Ghaggar in Kaithal district have flooded around eight villages. The Army is in the process of evacuating residents. If the rain does not stop, it is feared that floodwaters could reach urban areas of the district headquarters town by tomorrow.
A breach in the Hansi-Butana link is also posing a serious threat. The water in the Yamuna was measured at 59,315 cusecs at the Hathnikund barrage this morning. Officials said a further rise could flood areas in the Karnal, Panipat and Sonepat districts. The administrations of all three districts are on high alert.
The Army is working with the Kaithal administration in the worst-affected Tatiana, Khushal Majra, Baupur, Hemu Majra, Lalpur, Seo-Majra and Bhatian villages. Deputy Commissioner Amneet P Kumar said, “The flooding is getting really serious. People in danger zone have been asked to evacuate immediately. The Army is helping in the relief operations. Efforts are on to plug the breaches. Over 5,000 people are affected, along with vast tracts of cultivated land and residential areas.”
The floodwaters are 6-8 feet deep in several areas, and around 3-4 feet on an average in all the affected areas. Army motorboats and divers are at work evacuate people. The situation is likely to worsen as more water overflows into the catchment areas of the Ghaggar, Markanda and Tangri.
Deputy Commissioner, Kurukshetra, Pankaj Aggarwal said, “A large number of personnel from the National Disaster Management Authority of India (NDMAI) are engaged in plugging the breach in the SYL canal and evacuating victims from affected areas, which are under five feet of water.”
The breaches on both sides of the Ghaggar in Kaithal district have flooded around eight villages. The Army is in the process of evacuating residents. If the rain does not stop, it is feared that floodwaters could reach urban areas of the district headquarters town by tomorrow.
A breach in the Hansi-Butana link is also posing a serious threat. The water in the Yamuna was measured at 59,315 cusecs at the Hathnikund barrage this morning. Officials said a further rise could flood areas in the Karnal, Panipat and Sonepat districts. The administrations of all three districts are on high alert.
The Army is working with the Kaithal administration in the worst-affected Tatiana, Khushal Majra, Baupur, Hemu Majra, Lalpur, Seo-Majra and Bhatian villages. Deputy Commissioner Amneet P Kumar said, “The flooding is getting really serious. People in danger zone have been asked to evacuate immediately. The Army is helping in the relief operations. Efforts are on to plug the breaches. Over 5,000 people are affected, along with vast tracts of cultivated land and residential areas.”
The floodwaters are 6-8 feet deep in several areas, and around 3-4 feet on an average in all the affected areas. Army motorboats and divers are at work evacuate people. The situation is likely to worsen as more water overflows into the catchment areas of the Ghaggar, Markanda and Tangri.
Deputy Commissioner, Kurukshetra, Pankaj Aggarwal said, “A large number of personnel from the National Disaster Management Authority of India (NDMAI) are engaged in plugging the breach in the SYL canal and evacuating victims from affected areas, which are under five feet of water.”
Flood alert sounded in 10 western districts of UP (Indian Express 09 July 2010)
MUZAFFARNAGAR: A flood alert has been sounded in ten districts of western Uttar Pradesh with swelling of Yamuna while water level in Ganga was also rising at many places. Deputy secretary of the revenue department Raj Raten said that the flood alert has been issued in Muzaffarnagar, Saharanpur, Baghpat, Meerut, Aligarh, Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar, Hathras and Mathura districts. According to Central Water Commission (CWC), Ganga is rising in Ballia, whereas Ramganga is rising in Moradabad and Bareilly. River Yamuna is also rising in Etawah while river Sharda is rising in Paliakalan in Kheri. Ghagra is also rising in Elgin Bridge (Barabanki) Katarniyaghat in Bahraich and Ayodhya respectively. Rapti was on the rise in Balrampur said CWC.
Flood situation in Haryana worsens (Hindu 09 July 2010)
CHANDIGARH: The flood situation in Haryana worsened on Thursday as Kaithal district authorities called in the Army to assist in rescue and relief operations after seven villages -- Tatiana, Khushal Majra, Baupur, Hemu Majra, Lalpur, Seo-Majra and Bhatian -- got flooded due to a breach on both sides of the Ghaggar river in Tatiana village.
Kaithal Deputy Commissioner Amneet P. Kumar said that the flooding had affected over 5,000 people. The breach had been noticed in the Bhakra Main Line (BML) Ghaggar canal.
In another development, the Hansi-Butana Link Canal suffered a breach due to excessive flow of water in the Ghaggar near Tatiana and Kharal villages.
The third pillar of the canal was damaged due to rapid flow of water in the Ghaggar which was flowing above the danger mark at Guhla, she said, adding that voluntary organisations were helping the district authorities in dealing with the grim situation.
Eatables were being provided to the flood victims with the assistance of NGOs. Teams of doctors had also been sent and the Animal Husbandry and Dairying Department had been directed to provide medicines in the villages to protect the livestock against water- borne diseases.
Meanwhile, fresh rain caused three breaches in the Bibipur Jheel in Kurukshetra district which is already inundated with flood waters.
Railway officials said that traffic was disrupted on the Ambala-Delhi section for the third consecutive day as a part of the railway track caved in near Shahbad in Kurukshetra district.
The Kurukshetra district authorities called three more columns of the Army to deal with the situation and to intensify the efforts top to plug in the breach in the SYL Canal near village Jogna Khera. Kurukshetra Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Aggarwal said that the overall situation was improving in the district.
An official spokesman said here that Thanesar, Pehowa, Shahabad tehsils and Ismailabad and Babain sub- tehsils were affected by the floods in Kurukshetra district.
He further said that about one lakh acres of agriculture land of about 247 villages in the district had been affected by flood water. Mainly paddy and maize crops had been affected due to standing flood water. The floods had also caused damages in residential areas of 67 villages.
Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda will again visit the flood- affected areas of Kaithal, Kurukshetra and Ambala districts on Friday to review the situation. An official spokesman said that the Chief Minister was continuously monitoring the situation.
The spokesman further confirmed that the flood fury had so far claimed five lives, three in Ambala and two in Kurukshetra. Also, six cattle heads had reportedly perished in Kurukshetra district. More boats have been sent from Chandigarh to the flood-affected areas to evacuate the victims to safer areas.
Mr.Hooda said that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had talked to him telephonically and assured assistance of the Centre to effectively deal with the flood situation and further intensify rescue and relief operations in the State.
Meanwhile, the situation in Ambala district, which witnessed flood fury for almost three days, was improving as the water had started receding, claimed Deputy Commissioner S.P.Srow.
An official spokesman said that no fresh breach had taken place but the water level in the Satluj Yamuna Link Canal was still at an alarming level and the situation was being continuously monitored.
Interestingly , local residents of Ambala City and Ambala Cantonment and other areas criticised the Haryana Government for not restoring the power and water supply. A senior citizen said on the point of anonymity that they were virtually “powerless and waterless’’ for the past more than 48 hours.
And in Shahbad, people, agitated over the power and water blackout, blocked the National Highway-One (G.T.Road). This created virtual traffic chaos and the senior officers had a tough time in asking them to disperse as efforts were on to restore the power and water supply.
An official spokesman of the Ambala district said that Nodal Officers had been appointed to ensure food, water and other facilities to the flood- affected people of Ambala City and Ambala Cantt.
Kaithal Deputy Commissioner Amneet P. Kumar said that the flooding had affected over 5,000 people. The breach had been noticed in the Bhakra Main Line (BML) Ghaggar canal.
In another development, the Hansi-Butana Link Canal suffered a breach due to excessive flow of water in the Ghaggar near Tatiana and Kharal villages.
The third pillar of the canal was damaged due to rapid flow of water in the Ghaggar which was flowing above the danger mark at Guhla, she said, adding that voluntary organisations were helping the district authorities in dealing with the grim situation.
Eatables were being provided to the flood victims with the assistance of NGOs. Teams of doctors had also been sent and the Animal Husbandry and Dairying Department had been directed to provide medicines in the villages to protect the livestock against water- borne diseases.
Meanwhile, fresh rain caused three breaches in the Bibipur Jheel in Kurukshetra district which is already inundated with flood waters.
Railway officials said that traffic was disrupted on the Ambala-Delhi section for the third consecutive day as a part of the railway track caved in near Shahbad in Kurukshetra district.
The Kurukshetra district authorities called three more columns of the Army to deal with the situation and to intensify the efforts top to plug in the breach in the SYL Canal near village Jogna Khera. Kurukshetra Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Aggarwal said that the overall situation was improving in the district.
An official spokesman said here that Thanesar, Pehowa, Shahabad tehsils and Ismailabad and Babain sub- tehsils were affected by the floods in Kurukshetra district.
He further said that about one lakh acres of agriculture land of about 247 villages in the district had been affected by flood water. Mainly paddy and maize crops had been affected due to standing flood water. The floods had also caused damages in residential areas of 67 villages.
Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda will again visit the flood- affected areas of Kaithal, Kurukshetra and Ambala districts on Friday to review the situation. An official spokesman said that the Chief Minister was continuously monitoring the situation.
The spokesman further confirmed that the flood fury had so far claimed five lives, three in Ambala and two in Kurukshetra. Also, six cattle heads had reportedly perished in Kurukshetra district. More boats have been sent from Chandigarh to the flood-affected areas to evacuate the victims to safer areas.
Mr.Hooda said that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had talked to him telephonically and assured assistance of the Centre to effectively deal with the flood situation and further intensify rescue and relief operations in the State.
Meanwhile, the situation in Ambala district, which witnessed flood fury for almost three days, was improving as the water had started receding, claimed Deputy Commissioner S.P.Srow.
An official spokesman said that no fresh breach had taken place but the water level in the Satluj Yamuna Link Canal was still at an alarming level and the situation was being continuously monitored.
Interestingly , local residents of Ambala City and Ambala Cantonment and other areas criticised the Haryana Government for not restoring the power and water supply. A senior citizen said on the point of anonymity that they were virtually “powerless and waterless’’ for the past more than 48 hours.
And in Shahbad, people, agitated over the power and water blackout, blocked the National Highway-One (G.T.Road). This created virtual traffic chaos and the senior officers had a tough time in asking them to disperse as efforts were on to restore the power and water supply.
An official spokesman of the Ambala district said that Nodal Officers had been appointed to ensure food, water and other facilities to the flood- affected people of Ambala City and Ambala Cantt.
Rain improves sowing of kharif crops (Hindu 13 July 2010)
The revival of monsoon has resulted in a marked improvement in the sowing of kharif crops, according to the Union Agriculture Ministry.
But for some pulses, particularly moong and maize, the coverage of all crops is almost at par with last year's in the corresponding period.
Paddy has been sown so far in 72.3-lakh hectares as against 68.67-lakh hectares same time last year. Punjab has sown the highest (15.23-lakh hectares) followed by Orissa where the coverage is 10.43-lakh hectares.
At 58.27-lakh hectares, sowing of coarse cereals has exceeded last year's level of 53.28-lakh hectares, but the sowing of maize is still short at 27.96-lakh hectares compared to 30.04-lakh hectares sown the previous year, due to delayed monsoon in Uttar Pradesh and parts of Madhya Pradesh.
The sowing of oilseeds is very encouraging at 58.39-lakh hectares compared to 56.64-lakh hectares last year. The area under sugarcane has also improved to 47.37-lakh hectares as against 41.79-lakh hectares same time last year.
Cotton coverage this year is 17.62 per cent higher at 66.06-lakh hectares as against 48.47-lakh hectares last year. Jute coverage has also increased to 7.59-lakh hectares from the last year's 6.89-lakh hectares.The total storage in 81 important reservoirs, monitored by the Central Water Commission, is 6.883 billion cubic metres higher than last year. Twenty-six reservoirs have storage level of more than 80 per cent, while 26 others have storage of between 51 and 80 per cent
But for some pulses, particularly moong and maize, the coverage of all crops is almost at par with last year's in the corresponding period.
Paddy has been sown so far in 72.3-lakh hectares as against 68.67-lakh hectares same time last year. Punjab has sown the highest (15.23-lakh hectares) followed by Orissa where the coverage is 10.43-lakh hectares.
At 58.27-lakh hectares, sowing of coarse cereals has exceeded last year's level of 53.28-lakh hectares, but the sowing of maize is still short at 27.96-lakh hectares compared to 30.04-lakh hectares sown the previous year, due to delayed monsoon in Uttar Pradesh and parts of Madhya Pradesh.
The sowing of oilseeds is very encouraging at 58.39-lakh hectares compared to 56.64-lakh hectares last year. The area under sugarcane has also improved to 47.37-lakh hectares as against 41.79-lakh hectares same time last year.
Cotton coverage this year is 17.62 per cent higher at 66.06-lakh hectares as against 48.47-lakh hectares last year. Jute coverage has also increased to 7.59-lakh hectares from the last year's 6.89-lakh hectares.The total storage in 81 important reservoirs, monitored by the Central Water Commission, is 6.883 billion cubic metres higher than last year. Twenty-six reservoirs have storage level of more than 80 per cent, while 26 others have storage of between 51 and 80 per cent
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)