Ganga Rise Worsens Floods In Sambhal, Villages And Crops Hit

Flood conditions have worsened in Sambhal district after the water level of the Ganga rose for the third time in September, with water entering around half a dozen villages and damaging standing crops. Rajat Malhotra reports that the situation has become serious in low-lying areas as water released from the Narora barrage continues to flow into the river system.

According to the report, nearly 60 thousand cusecs of water has increased in the Ganga over the past three days. At present, 1 lakh 63 thousand cusecs of water is being discharged from the Narora barrage. Because of this, the situation in the lower areas of the district has deteriorated further.

Floodwater has entered around half a dozen villages in the Junawai block. Bajhangi, Udiyangla, Totapur and Raghupur are among the worst-affected villages. Standing crops of bajra and paddy in the villages are submerged in water and are now rotting. In the lower areas, sugarcane crops have also started getting damaged.

In Bajhangi and Udiyangla villages, knee-deep water has accumulated on the main road itself. All link roads have been cut off, making movement difficult for the people living there. The biggest problem for the affected villages is the complete disruption of electricity supply for the past one month.

Residents are being forced to sleep in darkness. With no electricity, even mobile phones and torches cannot be charged. The mobile tower is also shut, due to which contact has been completely cut off.

Waterlogging has also created a severe shortage of drinking water and fodder for animals in the villages. Water is visible everywhere around the settlements. Fishermen were seen catching fish inside the village areas as floodwater spread across the region.

Because of the stagnant water, a huge mosquito problem has developed in the villages. Villagers are not even able to sleep at night due to the mosquitoes. A crisis of fodder and livelihood has also arisen for people dependent on cattle and farming.

This is the third spell of flooding in September, and farmers say their crops have been completely destroyed. Bajra, paddy and sugarcane crops have been hit in different parts of the affected area, deepening the distress of villagers already dealing with darkness, broken road links, loss of mobile connectivity, drinking water problems and fodder shortages.