Bijnor (Uttar Pradesh): Seven districts of Uttar Pradesh may experience heavy rainfall, warned the authorities of Kalagharh dam across the Ramganga river in UttaraKhand. As the river flows through seven districts in UP, the officials of those districts have been asked to remove the encroachments; otherwise, there may be a catastrophe.
Since the hills have experienced a heavy rainfall, the reservoir is slowly filling up and if its level rises to 355 meters, water will be released, which may inundate low-lying areas in UP districts, the authorities of Kalagharh dam said. The districts are Bijnor, Moradabad, Amroha, Rampur, Bareilly, Shahjahanpur and Farrukhabad. According to the letter sent to the officials of the seven districts, “The reservoir has the capacity to hold up to 365 metres. Once the water level breaches 355 metres, the doors of the dam are opened to release excess water. This can lead to flooding in low-lying areas downstream.”
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Reasons for encroachments
A large number of farmers have encroached upon several hectares and some have even built brick houses on the banks of the river, so such people are in danger when water is released.
Kalagarh Dam official, Neeraj Kumar Tyagi, said, “We have issued advisories to administrations of seven districts in Uttar Pradesh. At present, there are encroachments along the banks of the river. Most of these encroachments are near populated areas. The dam water is presently at 338 metres. Things are under control as of now. But, if it rises to 355 metres, we will have to release it downstream, which may flood a lot of places in the region.”
Bijnor District Magistrate Umesh Mishra said, “Our immediate priority is to remove these encroachments from the river banks. A drive is on to remove such encroachments in the district at the earliest.”
Sources further said that many officials could not say how they would remove the encroachments which have been lying on the banks of the river for several years. Besides, there is fear of backlash by the encroachers.