Hamirpur: Incessant rise in water levels of the Yamuna and Betwa rivers has triggered a flood scare in Hamirpur district, where both rivers are flowing well above the danger mark. As of Friday, Yamuna stood at 106.690 meters and Betwa at 106.260 meters, rising at a rate of
12 cm and 13 cm per hour respectively.
The release of 3.64 lakh cusecs from the Matatila dam and 18,000 cusecs from the Lahchura dam has further intensified the situation. Panic gripped low-lying riverbank villages overnight, with residents rushing to evacuate homes using tractors, handcarts, and e-rickshaws.
The situation is particularly dire in 13 villages including Kesariya Dera, Bhola ka Dera, Merapur, and Surajpur, now listed in the administration's "Red Zone" (105.50–106.00 meters). The Kuchaicha-Patyora main road is completely submerged and has been cut off, isolating parts of the district. District officials confirmed that over 550 people have been relocated to temporary shelters at Kuchaicha Degree College and Maharshi Vidya Mandir. Medical camps have been set up, along with distribution of food packets and cattle fodder. Flood response teams, including PAC units, are on active deployment, and all flood posts are on high alert.
The administration has categorized affected areas into three zones, Red Zone (Most critical): 13 villages, Yellow Zone (Moderate alert): 12 villages and Green Zone (Watchlist): Over 60 villages.
Despite these measures, concerns remain high in Red Zone areas where floodwaters have already entered homes. Many families spent the night outdoors, with growing anxiety about safety and relief access.
The administration has urged residents not to fall for rumours and to contact the district helpline for assistance. Officials maintain that they are monitoring the situation closely and may resort to aerial relief if conditions worsen.
For Hamirpur, the flood is proving not only to be a natural disaster but also a test of the state’s preparedness. As river levels continue to rise, the true measure of relief will lie in the timeliness and reach of the response.
