Floods leave villagers homeless, destroy crops

With the Yamuna river flowing above the danger level and flooding several villages on Saturday, residents in over a dozen villages along the Hindon Pushta and Yamuna Pushta areas under Gautam Budha Nagar district have been force to leave their homes, seeking shelter at nearby villages.

With the Yamuna river flowing above the danger level and flooding several villages on Saturday, residents in over a dozen villages along the Hindon Pushta and Yamuna Pushta areas under Gautam Budha Nagar district have been force to leave their homes, seeking shelter at nearby villages.

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Farmers are the worst-hit as crops have been destroyed in a number of villages due to waterlogging. The district administration, too, has made arrangements at the village community halls to accommodate the evacuees.

Sub-divisional Magistrate, Vishal Singh, said, "On Sunday, the water level at Okhla Barage stood at 206.78 metre with no increase or decrease."

"In Noida, water along the embankment flooded Sector 94 and farmhouses in adjoining areas. Shani Temple too was submerged in water. In Noida, flood alert has been sounded at Raipur, Asgarpur, Yakutpur, Gulavli, Mangroli, Chhaproli and Bakhtawarpur. Rescue teams have been posted at villages to evacuate people in case water enters their homes," he said.

In Mangroli village, a breach was found, but villagers plugged it and prevented the water from flowing into the village.

"Crops worth crores have been destroyed along the river embankments and other villages as well, due to waterlogging following heavy rains," said Virendra Dhada, former District Panchayat Chairman.