Flood Threat: High Alert Sounded In Rishikesh As Ganga Swells

[Spartan]

Flood threat: High alert sounded in Rishikesh as Ganga swells

 

 

#Uttarakhand 

 

 

 

Rains in the hills and plains have led to swelling of the Ganga, putting local authorities in Rishikesh and Vikasnagar on high alert.

Rishikesh tehsildar DD Verma said, "The level of Ganges is rising due to rains in hills and plains. To deal with any exigency, we have set up flood control posts at Raiwala, Thano, Ramnagar and Danda."

He said these posts will remain functional throughout the day during the monsoon season and people can register their complaints about flooding in their localities. "The employees will remain on duty to take swift action on any given point of time," he added.

Verma said the local authorities are keeping a vigil on sensitive areas in Rishikesh like Shishamjhari, Trivenighaat and Luxmanjhula which are close to the river banks.

He said people living near river banks are worried owing to the horrifying experience during last year's disaster, in which homes and crops were damaged.

Dehradun ADM Pratap Shah said the level of Yamuna river is also on a rise in Vikasnagar. "A lot of silt has deposited in the Dakpathar dam in Vikasnagar, which can lead to soil erosion in the surrounding areas. Directions have been passed to officers to take action in this regard," Shah said.

He added that the deposition of minerals in the river was also increasing its level. "A report will be sent to the district magistrate to check if the mineral content is above the permissible limit," he said.