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Better water management contains flood threats in Agra

NAT31National/Disaster/EnvironmentBetter water management contains flood threats in AgraAgra, Sep 27 IANS Then district authorities Saturday heaved a sigh of relief and called it a success in better water management as the rising water level of the Yamuna river stabilised just a foot below the danger mark of 495 feet in Agra. Official sources said the flood threat has receded for the time being. "We have been closely monitoring the rise and analysing the regular inputs from barrages upstream to be better prepared for any eventuality," said a district official at the Agra control room."It now looks like a great success story of better water management by the barrages, right from Tajewala headworks to Gokul barrage in Mathura district. The flow and discharges in the river were aptly regulated and that's how the flood was better managed this time unlike in previous years," said an official who did not want to be identified.Colonies in the low-lying areas in the flood-plains of the Yamuna were flooded both at Vrindavan and Mathura, but Agra remained safe as the water level rose gradually. "The dry river bed and the vast expanse through which the Yamuna meanders between Mathura and Agra absorbed the excess water, reducing the threatb at Agra," says environmentalist Ravi Singh.Agra administration had made elaborate arrangements for the safe transfer and stay of affected people. Dozens of dharamshalas inns and schools were kept ready and stocks of medicines and essential services were maintained. "Fortunately, the scare and alarm created helped raise the level of preparedness," says Subhash Jha, a block functionary posted at Yamuna bank in Mehar Naharganj.The river was flowing a foot above the danger mark at Mathura Friday evening but in Agra it stabilised at 493.5 feet against the danger mark of 495 feet. The water level was at a safe distance from the Taj Mahal and other monuments. "As of now it appears the flood threat has receded but we are fully prepared," said a district official. --Indo-Asian News Servicebk/ak/vt359 Words27091546