Drones deployed to locate over 3.6k displaced individuals in enchanting Noida villages!

More than 3,600 individuals residing in 67 picturesque villages nestled along the banks of the Yamuna and Hindon rivers have found themselves displaced due to the relentless onslaught of rising waters. As these mighty rivers surged beyond their boundaries, homes were inundated, and nearly 1,390 hectares of lush agricultural fields were submerged, bringing forth a sense of despair. Yet, amidst this turmoil, a glimmer of hope emerges on the horizon as rainfall activity in the catchment areas begins to dwindle, paving the way for potential relief.

The district administration, striving to alleviate the plight of the affected populace, revealed that a staggering 7,210 people bore the brunt of this calamity, primarily concentrated in Sadar, Jewar, and Dadri tehsils. However, the devastation was most profound in the villages of Gulawali, Kambakshpur, Momnathal, Makanpur Khadar, Latifpur Khadar, Asgharpur, and Mehndipur Khadar, situated along the course of the Yamuna.

In an effort to combat this crisis head-on, a commendable assemblage of fifteen boats, six motorboats, and thirty divers was summoned to partake in the arduous task of rescue and relief operations. Shedding light on the situation, BK Singh, the executive engineer hailing from the head works department, shared with TOI that the water level in the Yamuna was projected to decrease in Noida, starting from the evening of that fateful Friday. The reason behind this glimmer of respite lies in the fact that the Hathnikund barrage, nestled in Haryana, had considerably curtailed its water discharge.

Elucidating further, the official expounded upon the gravity of the situation, revealing that all the gates of the Hathnikund barrage had remained wide open between Sunday and Thursday, inadvertently causing severe flooding in the neighboring regions of Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Noida. Adding a sense of urgency to the discourse, the district administration issued a statement specifying that the Yamuna's water level had surged to a precarious 200.75 meters at 7 a.m. on Friday, just surpassing the danger mark set at 200.6 meters. However, by 5 p.m. that same day, the water level had receded to 200.6 meters at the Okhla Barrage, offering a glimmer of hope amidst this watery chaos.

Within the realm of this calamity, a minor breach in the river's embankment was reported in the Jhuppa area of Jewar. However, swift and efficient repairs promptly rectified the situation, preventing further damage and preserving the fragile stability of the embankment.

In response to this dire situation, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) mobilized four teams, accompanied by two teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), one from the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), and eight medical teams. Working hand in hand with these dedicated personnel, the vigilant Noida police force assumed a crucial role in the rescue efforts, their unwavering commitment evident in their employment of advanced drone technology to locate and rescue individuals and livestock stranded in the marooned villages.

Amidst the darkness of Thursday night, distressing news reached the ears of the valiant police officers—a report of an elderly man named Kashmir Singh, 62 years of age, trapped in a farmhouse located in Sector 134. Responding to this urgent call for assistance, a determined police team successfully rescued the stranded caretaker on the following day, embodying the indomitable spirit of heroism in the face of adversity.

Another poignant account emerged from Deepa Devi, a compassionate soul who runs a cow shelter in Sector 135. With around 400 innocent bovines seeking refuge within the sanctuary, her heart sank as she lamented that only 40 cows had been rescued thus far, while the fate of the remaining animals hung precariously in the balance. Expressing her discontentment, she voiced her dissatisfaction with the district administration's perceived sluggishness in executing rescue operations, a sentiment that encapsulates the frustration of many affected individuals.

Undeterred by the magnitude of the crisis, District Magistrate Manish Kumar Verma, Police Commissioner Laxmi Singh, and Noida CEO Ritu Maheshwari stood steadfast as they meticulously monitored the flood-ravaged areas of Wajidpur, Nangli-Nangla, and Sakipur. Their unwavering presence and unwavering dedication to the welfare of the affected communities serve as a beacon of hope, illuminating the path towards recovery and resilience in the wake of this natural disaster.