cwc-warns-of-worsening-floods-across-india

Rivers across large parts of India have swelled to dangerous levels, with 21 sites officially categorised in a “severe flood situation” and 33 others running above normal, according to the Central Water Commission (CWC).

 

The warning comes as the meteorological department forecasts another spell of heavy to very heavy rainfall over the northern hill states and the eastern plains in the coming days.

 

Nine of the severely affected sites are in Bihar, eight in Uttar Pradesh and one each in Delhi, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Jammu and Kashmir. The Yamuna at the Old Railway Bridge in Delhi is also in the severe category.

 

Assam continues to face strain, with above-normal to severe levels in the Buridehing and Beki rivers. Jharkhand has reported a severe flood on the Ganga at Sahibganj.

 

In Bihar, several stretches of the Ganga, Kosi, Gandak and Burhi Gandak remain inundated, particularly in Bhagalpur, Patna, Khagaria and Siwan. Uttar Pradesh is battling rising levels in the Ganga, Yamuna, Ghagra, Ramganga and Sharda.

Also read: Cloudbursts in Himalayas raise alarm over climate crisis

 

Heavy rainfall is set to worsen conditions in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, where sudden surges are anticipated in the Beas, Sutlej, Chenab, Ravi, Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers.

 

Flood risks are also high in Jammu and Kashmir’s Chenab, Tawi, Jhelum and Indus basins, especially in Kishtwar, Doda, Kathua, Anantnag and Pulwama districts. Punjab and Haryana are preparing for strong inflows in the Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, Ghaggar and Yamuna.

 

Reservoirs are filling rapidly across central and southern India. Ukai, Sardar Sarovar, Tehri, Hathnikund, Koyna and Hirakud are all above threshold levels. In the Cauvery basin, the Mettur, Kabini, Hemavathi and Krishnarajasagar dams are nearly full, raising concerns of downstream flooding if rains persist.

 

The CWC bulletin added that Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh are reporting rising waters in the Tapi, Narmada, Mahi, Krishna and Mahanadi basins.

 

With the monsoon expected to remain active, authorities have urged district administrations to stay on high alert and step up evacuation measures in low-lying areas.